ON ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE

HEGEL, GE. WILH. FR.

System der Wissenschaft. Erster Theil (all), die Phänomenologie des Geistes.

Bamberg u. Würzburg, bey Joseph Anton Goebhardt, 1807.

8vo. Contemporary full paper binding with gilt title- and tome- label to spine. Minor wear to extremities. Internally totally fresh and clean. A small paper flaw to blank bottom of title-page. A splendid copy in completely original condition.
(8), XCI, (3, - errata), (1, - half-title), 765, (1), (2, -adverts) pp.

The very rare first edition, in a splendid copy, of Hegel's first major work, "Phenomenology of Spirit", in which he gave the first systematic account of his own philosophy.

The Phenomenology of Spirit can be read as the itinerary of human reason. It traces the development of the categories of reason from the basic categories of sense perception to the manifestations of absolute spirit as religion, art, and philosophy. As the historical coming into being of reason coincides with the genesis of its self-awareness, the Phenomenology of Spirit also offers a justification of the human condition. The importance of Hegel's work for the development of modern thought cannot be overestimated. The dialectical structures which keep in place Hegel's thought shall determine the trajectory of Marx and - through the lectures of Alexandre Kojève - the course of modern French philosophy.

Order-nr.: 53640