Status Updates From Hegel's Phenomenology: The ...

Very similar to Houlgate, and I find Houlgate superior.

After finishing the PG, we move on to the realization of the Geist through the philosophy of right and after a tedious attempt of a variety of modes of "freedom" the case rests on an ethical society (a Greek format) but a morally/rationally justifiable. The point that pinkard tires to highlight is that by no means Hegel's realization of such a society is a contemporary one nor does he try to endorse conformity.

The pages 260-268 are condensation of the PG. It brilliantly showcases how Hegel views the role of philosophy as THE only communal self-reflecting form of knowledge a that CAN and perhaps should give an account of the ground truth, the absolute knowing. The recap of the story of the book Is brilliantly written in 265 onwards.

Chapter 6 mainly focuses on religion as a self reflecting form of life. Starting off with the nature based impersonal religions such as Zarathustrians and then Egyptian gods, moving to Greek forms. This is the most boring chapter I have to admit as there are many repeated concepts that seem redundant for a careful reader, especially the part concerning Greek drama and tragedy.

Chapter 5 closes with the ultimate model Hegel proposes ascthe modern Community. The story of the self consciousness through the historical context takes a long time to reach to that points. Pages 180-193 which deal with the actualization of the will of individuals as their authoritative reasons in the french revolution is very well written. The text gets a bit iterative afterwards but one certainly will not forget

The possibilities of authoritative reasons are being examined through Hegel's methodology in the context of European history. Pinkard moves slowly inside this chapter, it is not as exciting as the previous ones but it really makes sure that Hegel's idea remains afloat. Hegel's project doesn't seek to find social nuances that lead to historical events. He sets to examines the claims to authoritative reasons historical

Hegel reaches the pinnacle of enlighten by probing Kant, though briefly and in an obscure manner. Pages 121-132 try to put Hegel's ideas in perspective and pinkard does a great job. Though Hegel appreciated the attpt Kant made by probing the reason on its own account. A pre-Hegelian project, though he fails by introducing the categories, and not generating the categories through the same account.

The story of the consciousness is followed through the scientific method, the humanism and the nihilistic/hedonistic Faustian approach, bringing birth to the romantics, the champions of the "natural virtues" and the of the "egotists". The traces of socialist and liberalism is easily detected during these dialectical encounters.

After reaching the stage of unhappy consciousness—which gives rise to the power of religion and the aspiration for unification with the universal—Hegel begins probing reason as a 'self-proclaimed' authoritative agent, particularly in relation to modern science and humanism. Though his treatment of science is somewhat hand-wavy, one can overlook this by following the logical progression of thoughts he aims to convey

After reaching the unhappy consciousness, which gives rise to the power of religion and the goal of unification with the universal, Hegel Starts probing reason as the "self-claimed" authoritative agent and in particular the modern science and humanism. Though the science part is hand-wavy at best, one can overlook it by following the chain of thoughts Hegel is attempting to get at.

The third chapter focuses on forms of self-consciousness. Pinkard puts the matter into the perspective quite well. The notion of recognition of the conscious being which leads to the famous Master/Slave dialectic, and further resolved forms of stoicism, skeptism is introduced and put into a historical context.

In the 2nd chapter Hegel begins by probing the ideas of self sufficient knowledge. The claims of immediate knowledge for each one is examined for each. He shows how each form is linked as a necessary outcome of its predecessor. While the sense-certainty and perception are on the spot, I found myself in disagreement in the chapter regarding force, laws and reflective judgment. The upshot is however genuine and correct

The book opens with the obvious question of why the phenomenology if Spirit. Pinkard provides a somewhat condensed account of reasons and explanations for this question. The goal of the book is "a reconstruction" of the Hegelian project. The story of the development of self-conscious. It's a very interesting project and I'm eager to see how it proceeds