GWF Hegel has long been considered one of the most influential andcontroversial thinkers of the nineteenth century, and his workcontinues to provoke debate in contemporary philosophy. This newbook provides readers with an accessible introduction toHegel's thought, offering a lucid and highly readable accountof his Phenomenology of Spirit, Science of Logic,Philosophy of Nature, Philosophy of History, andPhilosophy of Right. It provides a cogent and carefulanalysis of Hegel's main arguments, considers criticalresponses, evaluates competing interpretations, and assesses thelegacy of Hegel's work for philosophy in the presentday.In a comprehensive discussion of the major works, J.M Fritzmanconsiders crucial questions of authorial intent raised by thePhenomenology of Spirit, and discusses Hegel'sconceptions of necessity and of philosophical method. In hispresentation of Hegel's Logic, Fritzman evaluates theclaim that logic has no presuppositions and examines whether thisendorses a foundationalist or coherentist epistemology. Fritzmangoes on to scrutinize Hegel's claims that history representsthe progressive realization of human freedom, and details how Hegelbelieves that this is also expressed in art and religion.This book serves as both an excellent introduction to Hegel'swide-ranging philosophy for students, as well as an innovativecritique which will contribute to ongoing debates in the field.

Acknowledgements viii1 Introduction 12 Hegel's Life and Influences 123 Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit 314 Hegel's Logic 795 Hegel's Philosophy of Nature and Philosophy of Spirit946 Hegel's Philosophy of Right 1097 Hegel's Philosophy of History 1188 Hegel's Lectures on Philosophy and Religion 1279 After Hegel 136Notes 154Suggestions for Further Reading 161Index 177