Reading Hegel's Phenomenology

by John Russon

In Reading Hegel’s Phenomenology, John Russon uses the theme of reading to clarify the methods, premises, evidence, reasoning, and conclusions developed in Hegel’s seminal text. Russon’s approach facilitates comparing major sections and movements of the text, and demonstrates that each section of Phenomenology of Spirit stands independently in its focus on the themes of human experience. Along the way, Russon considers the rich relevance of Hegel’s philosophy to understanding other key Western philosophers, such as Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Husserl, Heidegger, and Derrida. Major themes include language, embodiment, desire, conscience, forgiveness, skepticism, law, ritual, multiculturalism, existentialism, deconstruction, and absolute knowing. An important companion to contemporary Hegel studies, this book will be of interest to all students of Hegel’s philosophy.

Genres: Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

John Russon is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. He is author of Human Experience: Philosophy, Neurosis, and the Elements of Everyday Life.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introductory text to one of the most challenging thinkers of all time. Russon clearly articulates Hegel's main arguments and conclusions. It is a very, very accessible work, and very helpful to anyone with an interest in Hegel. If you are not up to the task of reading PhG or SoL yourself, and just want to refer to secondary sources, this is the text. If you are reading Hegel and struggling, be patient. Over time he will make more and more sense, and reading him becomes as easy as reading a novel (ok, maybe not that easy, but as easy as any other philosophy). Charles Taylor's work "Hegel" and H.S Harris' "Hegel's Ladder" are also wonderful commentaries and summaries of the work of Hegel's PhG and SoL. If you have access, I recommend getting a good solid teacher for studying Hegel, or a reading group at the very least. He is very difficult to learn on your own. Discourse, assignments, and repetition are the best ways to master his work. Try to find someone like-minded to discuss Hegel, because articulating and expressing his ideas through discourse is key to learning his work. Stick with it, good things will come.