A commentary on the preface to Hegel's ?Phenomenology of Spirit?

Abstract

Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit has come to be regarded by many Hegelscholars as his most important work even though it was his first book, and in many ways is more difficult to read than any of the others he wrote. And it is a matter of further widespread agreement that the Preface to the Phenomenology is the most important part of it. This may be illustrated by the remarks of some eminent Hegel-scholars concerning it, cited by Walter Kaufmann in his introduction to his translation of it': "... it is not saying too much when I claim that anyone understands Hegel's philosophy if he completely masters the meaning of this preface." (Rudolf Haym, 1857). "... [It is] the most important of all Hegel texts .... Whoever has understood the preface to the Phenomenology has understood Hegel." (Hermann Glockner, 1940) "The Phenomenology is preceded by a remarkable Preface, which is a literary as well as a philosophical masterpiece." (J. N. Findlay, 1958) And: "The Preface of the Phenomenology is one of the greatest philosophical undertakings of all times." (Herbert Marcuse, 1941) Kaufmann himself also thinks it is of the greatest importance, as is shown by his publication of his own translation of it by itself, together with a commentary on it. So I will take the importance of the Preface, at least in the context of Hegel's philosophy, to be established on good authority. I myself think that, if one can understand it, one will have understood Hegel's basic conception of what philosophy is and how it ought to be done, and the essentials of his metaphysics as well. It is in my view the best summary of his philosophy he ever wrote; even if it does not contain his arguments for his views. (And, after all, one should not expect to find arguments in a Preface.) In this commentary, I shall attempt to expound and clarify some of the basic points Hegel is making in it, in order to facilitate the understanding of it. Such a commentary is needed, because it is very difficult to understand. Ultimately, of course, the important thing is for one to come