Background Notes
When I was first taught Hegel, it was as an undergraduate at California State University, Stanislaus, by Professor Jason Winfree. We were assigned no secondary texts, just the Phenomenology of Spirit, A.V. Miller translation. I read parts of the book in PHIL 3000 – Philosophical Reading and Analysis, and PHIL 4500 – Philosophy of Art, where we read Hegel’s lectures on aesthetics. Jason’s approach to Hegel is somewhat captured in an articled called “On the Philosophical Determination of Literature,” which focuses on the influence of Hegel on French philosophy in the mid-20th century.
I read Hegel again with Professor Rocío Zambrana at the University of Oregon, where I audited her class on Hegel for a few sessions. Rocío’s own approach to Hegel endorsed a number of secondary texts, and her own approach to Hegel, at least early in her career, can be found in her book Hegel’s Theory of Intelligibility, which focuses on Hegel’s Science of Logic.
My own approach emphasizes reading the original text, but fighting to understand by whatever path necessary–so if you find a secondary text or obscure internet post that opens up the text for you, read it and share it too.
Primary Texts
- Miller, A.V. translator, Phenomenology of Spirit
- Pinkard, Terry, translator, Phenomenology of Spirit
- Pinkard, Terry, German-English facing page translation, Phenomenology of Spirit
Hegel biography
- Terry Pinkard’s biography of Hegel – it’s extremely interesting and entertaining; I recommend it!