Hegel's Idea of a Phenomenology of Spirit

by Michael N. Forster

Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit has acquired a paradoxical reputation as one the most important and most impenetrable and inconsistent philosophical works. In Hegel's Idea of a Phenomenology of Spirit, Michael N. Forster advances an original reading of the work. His approach differs from that of previous scholars in two crucial ways: he reads the work, first, as a whole—not piecemeal, as it has usually been analyzed—and second, within the context of Hegel's broader corpus and the works of other philosophers.

The Phenomenology of Spirit emerges as an extraordinarily coherent work with a rich array of important and original ideas. These include a diagnosis of the ills of modernity in terms of its commitment to a series of dualisms, and a project for overcoming them; a sweeping naturalism; a deep rethinking of and response to problems of skepticism; subtle arguments for social theories of meaning and truth; and ideas based on the insight that human thought changes in fundamental ways over the course of history. Forster's unique and compelling reading unlocks the mysteries of Hegel's seminal work.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

669 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 1998

Reviews

[Nathan "N.R." Gaddis]

Forster’s book should be on the shelf of any serious student of the Phenomenology. But it is by no means an introductory text. Without some degree of intermediate familiarity with the text of the Phenomenology itself and acquaintance with Hegel’s philosophical project in general, Forster’s Idea book won’t make much sense. However, with a little more than a dash at having worked on the Phenomenology and having become acquainted with Hegel’s work, Forster’s book quickly opens up and sheds light upon those questions -- what the hell is going on here? And does so clearly, oh so clearly.

Essentially (we’ll just go on and list a few things) Forster is claiming that Hegel set out to accomplish a number of pedagogical, epistemological, and metaphysical tasks with the Phenomenology ;; in essence, to clear the way for consciousness to take up the stance wherefrom Science can be entered in upon. (These are outlined on page 14f.)
1 discrediting alternative viewpoints (ie, all possible shapes of consciousness)
2 providing a compelling path toward Hegel’s system (the Encyclopedia)
3 providing a provisional presentation of the system
4 defend Hegel’s philosophy (ie, Science) against the skeptical equipollance problem
5 defend it against the skeptical problem of concept instantiation
6 provide “a proof of [Science] for all non-Hegelian viewpoints which is compelling to each of them in the light of its own initial views and criteria.”
7 accomplish Spirit’s self-knowledge and thereby realization
8 demonstrate the communal nature of meanings or concepts
9 establish the communal nature of meaningfulness, concepts, etc, etc, on behalf of the concepts of Hegel’s own system, thereby making possible and actual the system’s conceptual articulation
10 “...that truth is constituted by enduring communal consensus”
11 “establishing an enduring communal consensus in support of Hegel’s own system in order to make possible and actual this system’s truth.”

If that’s not enough, the Phenomenology has as its task to cure the unhappiness of modern consciousness, ie a consciousness plagued by dualisms. Dualisms, such as,
1 the division between God and humans & nature
2 the sharp distinction between humans and nature
3 the relation of the individual opposed to its community
4 the self and its thought on the one hand, and reality on the other
5 facts versus volitions, or the theoretical/factual versus the practical/volitional (ie, Kant’s first and second Kritiks)
6 duty v. desire
7 virtue v. happiness
8 and finally, the famous mind versus body dualism we all like to blame upon Descartes
What is happiness? First, “living in accordance with the customs of one’s nation” ; second, knowledge of truth ; and third, the fundamental and common desire for radical freedom. In sum, that the dualisms which plague modern consciousness can be cured via the actualization of the Hegelian system, resolving these eight dualisms into a differentiated unity, bringing about happiness by the actualization of ethical life, truth, and freedom.

Forster continues with discussions of the relation of the Phenomenology to Science itself, history and historicism in the Phenomenology, the question of an Ur-Phenomenology (ie, the chapters Consciousness through Reason), and the question of the mature Hegel’s attitude to this his first major work. In all, rather broad, overview-type architectonic questions which the Hegel beginner won’t really need to bother with until Hegel’s text and project begin to bother her.

Having said more than I had intended to say, but determined to point out that Hegel’s philosophy is useful and practical and entirely concrete, I’d like to stress too that one can take two routes in reading Hegel :: one can read Hegel as a cartoon caricature and thereby not take him up philosophically, or one can read him philosophically, which is to say, to make the best, most charitable case on behalf of his philosophy in order to make it work from itself and only then, when one has assimilated it in its strongest form that one may begin to lay into Hegel with objections and disagreements. But, then, that would just be to read Hegel in an hegelian manner.

[Dionysius the Areopagite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. In citing Hyppolite, Taylor, and Solomon right off the bat yrstruly has found the precise sort of book I had unconsciously assumed was missing amidst contemporary Hegelian scholars. This is a long, ill-worded story that can be summarized thusly: in what was a casual ILL borrow, I have come upon a book moving in the exact direction one of my dissertation is, hypothetically, moving in and through. On the occasion a single person should ask me what I want for my birthday, I shall send them a link to Prof. Forster's tome. What an achievement, what a find.

[Donald Whale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best guide to Hegelian philosophy in print.