Hegel: A Guide for the Perplexed

Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to fathom, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material. George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel is a philosopher of major and enduring influence. The author of The Phenomenology of Spirit and Foundations of the Philosophy of Right, cornerstones of the philosophical canon, he will be encountered by anyone studying or interested in Western philosophy. Hegel: A Guide for the Perplexed offers an invaluable introduction to Hegel's thought. David James employs the concept of freedom to offer a unified account of the most important parts of his philosophical system: his theory of intersubjectivity; his theory of the modern state; his accounts of art and religion; and his idea of a speculative logic. This accessible but authoritative text places Hegel in an historical context, exploring his engagement with thinkers including Fichte, Jacobi and Rousseau. This is a comprehensive and coherent introduction, ideal for anyone studying this fascinating thinker.