A Hegel Dictionary - (Blackwell Philosopher Dictionaries) by Michael Inwood (Paperback)

About the Book

The life and work of Hegel are presented in a scholarly yet accessible manner. Entries cover key ideas and thoughts, as well as the main themes of his work. A comprehensive biographical sketch is also included.

Book Synopsis

This book provides a comprehensive survey of Hegel's philosophical thought via a systematic exploration of over 100 key terms, from `absolute' to `will'. By exploring both the etymological background of such terms and Hegel's particular use of them, Michael Inwood clarifies for the modern reader much that has been regarded as difficult and obscure in Hegel's work.

From the Back Cover

Hegel is one of the greatest, but also one of the most difficult, philosophers. In this dictionary, Michael Inwood provides a complete survey of Hegel's thought through a series of alphabetically organized entries that explore his terminology. Hegel's innovative use of language, involving the influence of German etymology and his wide knowledge of the history of philosophy from its Greek origins, is a major aspect of his difficulty and obscurity. To enable the reader to understand Hegel's vocabulary, Inwood focuses on approximately 100 key terms from the "absolute" to the "will". The etymology and development of Hegel's terms are examined, together with their ordinary uses during his lifetime and previous applications of the terms in philosophy. German words, their English, Greek and Latin counterparts, are all discussed as a key to Hegel's use of the works and the doctrines he uses them to express.

The book also contains a brief life and intellectual portrait of Hegel, a general account of the use of German as a philosophical language (and Hegel's particular application of it) and a full bibliography.

Review Quotes

"One of the best reference books about a philosopher, highly recommended." Choice

"Invaluable. This book achieves what the Blackwell Philosopher Dictionary series sets out to do. It presents difficult ideas with scholarship and clarity." The Philosopher

'An exceptionally clear yet rigorous and scholarly presentation of difficult ideas. This will be an indispensible guide for students of Hegel at all levels.' Raymond Plant, University of Southampton

About the Author

Michael Inwood is Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Trinity College, Oxford. His publications include Hegel (1983) and Hegel: Selections (1989).