Finding Freedom: Hegel's Philosophy and the Emancipation of Women (McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Ideas Book 45)

by Sara MacDonald

Combining a detailed study of Hegel's political philosophy with close readings of two important literary works that help clarify his thought, MacDonald traces the historical development of an enduring link between personal lives and stable political communities. While Sophocles' Antigone highlights the tension in states that deny the interests of their citizens, MacDonald shows that Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream offers an alternative image, one that sees freedom for all as essential to an ethical family and state and is consistent with Hegel's thought in both the Phenomenology of Spirit and The Philosophy of Right.

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Sara MacDonald has an MA and PhD in Political Science, with a focus in political philosophy. Her research interests are diverse and include published works on Sophocles, Augustine, Shakespeare, Hegel, Mark Helprin, David Adams Richards, and the AMC television series, Mad Men.

Reviews

[Annerieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite short and it could have been shorter. There is too little criticism of Hegel's thought, which is a shame. I don't know what to think of this kind of literary analysis as philosophical argumentation in general. The main problem with it is that you can prove almost anything this way.