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 | | Hegel: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Peter Singer ISBN-10: 9780192801975 ISBN-10: 0-19-280197-X ISBN-13: 9780192801975 ISBN-13: 978-0-19-280197-5 Paperback 2001-12-06 Oxford University Press, USA Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description Hegel is regarded as one of the most influential figures on modern political and intellectual development. After painting Hegel's life and times in broad strokes, Peter Singer goes on to tackle some of the more challenging aspects of Hegel's philosophy. Offering a broad discussion of Hegel's ideas and an account of his major works, Singer explains what have often been considered abstruse and obscure ideas in a clear and inviting manner. | ||
Reviews | ||
A general overview Given the space restrictions, I doubt that many people would be able to explain Hegel's thought in more than a simplistic fashion. I bought the book to see what Singer has to say about Hegel, and in that department I would have liked more commentary. As it stands, it's just a very simple intro to Hegel, one perhaps aimed at beginners. | ||
Crappy The VSI series has produced some terrific introductions (notably, Scruton's Kant) but this falls well short. Of course, Hegel's density and obscurity present some unique challenges but Singer's exegesis it extremely flat. Unfortunately, I can't recommend a nice, short introduction to Hegel. As far as I know, no one has yet accomplished this difficult task. However, for those with some philosophy background, I would highly recommend Justus Hartnack's "An Introduction to Hegel's Logic." Because its object is Hegel's Logic, you won't find much discussion of the Phenomenology or his work on history. However, in a brilliantly concise 124 pages, Hartnack concisely digests and summarizes Hegel's most difficult work. It's really helpful for understanding how the dialectic works. | ||
good introduction This is about the fifth of the Very Short Introduction series I read. Although I didn't know much about Hegel's works before reading this book, I feel that the author does a good job introducing "Hegel" in a well-balanced, well-rounded way, in that he talks about how Hegel fits into the historical context and about other historical figures who influenced him and who he influenced. It was helpful for me that the author introduced the "dialectical method" that you hear so often about, in a clear, concise way. Apparently, the author doesn't cover all of Hegel's major works, but overall he does a good job getting the reader interested in Hegel's works enough that he would look into Hegel's works in more detail on subjects that interest him. | ||
An excellent VSI The VSI series can be a bit mixed, but Singer's entry in the series on Hegel is outstanding. It offers a superlative introduction to the complexity of Hegel's thoughts and does so in clear and engaging prose. My primary complaint, although I sympathize with the reasons that Singer offers, is the scant treatment of the Science of Logic. It is immensely important to understanding Hegel, and other works, like The Philosophy of Right, which Singer devotes a chapter too, rest on the views put forward in the Science of Logic. My other complaint is Singer's repeated emphasis on Marx and Marxism in relation to Hegel. There are far more important ways, philosophically speaking, in which Hegel has influenced thinking. I would rather have seen discussion of the interplay of analytic philosophy with Hegel and his interpreters. Nonetheless, don't let these complaints mislead: Singer's VSI is excellent. Buy it. | ||
I read it; I'm still a beginner. I have a couple of the "V. Short Introductions". Reading this book, one should bear in mind that by himself Singer is something of an anti-Hegelian, as well as an expert. His reservations spill over into his follow-up intro to Marx. Compared to Roger Scruton's V. Short Intro.s, Singer is summary and helpful, but after reading, you will remain a beginner. Scruton's intro to Kant is much, much harder, and much more rewarding. I feel like I still don't know anything about Hegel, and I think a slightly deeper introduction, by a more sympathetic commentator, is advisable. If you're as slow as I am, by all means take it out of the library. But put your money somewhere else. | ||