Product Description

This clear, critical examination, makes Hegels arguments fully accessible. Hegel's system is considered as a whole and examines the wide range of problems that it was designed to solve.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #323534 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 616 pages

Review
'(Inwood) has set new standards in the explication of Hegel's thought-processes. To write the book he has written called for a rare mixture of learning, acumen and perserverance. Hegel scholarship will only have itself to blame if it does not derive great benefit from the result' - Mind 'Admirable' - Philosophical Quarterly 'A series of exegetical and critical reflections on Hegelian philosophical theses, carried out with constant attention to Hegel's aims...Even when he finds Hegel's doctrines indefensible and incoherent or Hegel's arguments sophistical, Inwood's criticisms lack the polemical atmosphere and triumphant tone common to the writings of the professional Hegel-deprecator...Inwood has produced a very unusual book about Hegel. It is valuable in content and well-written' - The Philosophical Review

Review
'(Inwood) has set new standards in the explication of Hegel's thought-processes. To write the book he has written called for a rare mixture of learning, acumen and perseverance. Hegel scholarship will only have itself to blame if it does not derive great benefit from the result' - Mind

'Admirable' - Philosophical Quarterly

Synopsis
In this clear, critical examination of the ideas of one of the greatest and most influential of modern philosophers, M.J. Inwood makes Hegel's arguments fully accessible. He reconstructs Hegel's thought throughout the book by arguing with him, considering Hegel's system as a whole and examining the wide range of problems that it was designed to solve - metaphysical, epistemological, theological and political. Inwood concentrates especially on the logical and metaphysical ideas which underpin the system and which supply the key to understanding much of what is obscure in Hegel's thought. He examines Hegel's arguments and restates his views precisely and clearly. He also conveys the impressive unity of Hegel's system and its links with the thought of such philosophers as Aristotle, Spinoza and Kant.

Customer Reviews

Rubbish
This is an attempt to gleam from Hegel what Inwood sees as relevent to the English analytic tradition of which the author seems to be a partisan. As it proudly claims in the blurb, Hegel is examined not on his own terms but on Inwood's. This makes it at times difficult to see what Inwood is referring to, since he does not at least provide the Hegelian term he is arguing with for the sake of reference. Further, the intermingling of exposition and criticism, while doubtless convenient for the author, makes the book very difficult to read.
One is tempted to suggest that Inwood has learned little from Hegel - where is the attempt at immanent critique? (i.e. at least on his own terms) metacritique? The system as a whole? (which Inwood tries his hardest to keep in the closet, preferring to examine it analytically in terms of its parts).
A truly terrible book.