Hegel and Aristotle

Hegel is, arguably, the most difficult of all philosophers. To find a way into his thought interpreters have usually approached him as though he were developing Kantian and Fichtean themes. This book demonstrates in a systematic way that it makes much more sense to view Hegel’s idealism in relation to the metaphysical and epistemological tradition stemming from Aristotle. The book offers an account of Hegel’s idealism in light of his interpretation, discussion, assimilation and critique of Aristotle’s philosophy. There are explorations of Hegelian and Aristotelian views of system and history; being, metaphysics, logic, and truth; nature and subjectivity; spirit, knowledge, and self-knowledge; ethics and politics. No serious student of Hegel can afford to ignore this major interpretation. It will also be of interest in such fields as political science and the history of ideas.

• Another strong addition to the Cambridge Hegel list for which it is famous (recent books by Pippin, Wood and Pinkard) • A systematic account of Hegel’s interpretation and use of Aristotle • Enormously erudite comparative study of two of the greats in Western philosophy

Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. The History of Philosophy and its Place Within the System: 1. The idea of a history of philosophy; 2. The arrangement of the Lectures on Aristotle: architectonic and systematic presuppositions of Hegel’s interpretation; Part II. Logic and Metaphysics: 3. The Lectures on the Metaphysics; 4. The Aristotelian heritage in the Science of Logic; 5. Aristotelian questions; 6. Essence and concept; Part III. Aristotle and the Realphilosophie: 7. Aristotelian and Newtonian models in Hegel’s philosophy of nature; 8. Aristotle’s De anima and Hegel’s philosophy of subjective spirit; 9. The political realization of ethics; Part IV. Conclusions: 10. Truth, holism and judgement; 11. The pictures of Aristotle in Hegel’s formative years; Bibliography; Index.

\'A great book. Ferrarin brings to the fore the broader background of Hegel\'s interpretation of Aristotle. Ferrarin shows (but never shows up!) a deep knowledge of these issues. He avoids the pitfalls of any comparative study. He does not satisfy himself with observing that Hegel was influenced by Aristotle - which would be belabouring the obvious. He shows why, for what inner reasons, Hegel had to see in Aristotle a brotherly mind.\'

– Rémi Brague, Author of Aristolte et la question du monde and La sagesse du monde

\'Ferrarin\'s book is the first complete and detailed study of the agreements and differences that unite and separate Hegel and Aristotle. In fact, he offers much more, because he dwells also extensively on Hegel\'s relations with several other classics who influenced his attitude with regard to Aristotle, such as Plotinus, Proclus, Spinoza, Leibniz, and Kant. Ferrarin\'s competence guarantees solid interpretations of these philosophers; in several passages, his considerable erudition is even so overwhelming that the reader must be quite focused to keep track of the overall orientation of Ferrarin\'s impressive study … This ambitious program could never have been realized without a very thorough and detailed knowledge of two of the most difficult and well-studied but still perplexing philosophies of the European tradition. Fortunately, Ferrarin is in full possession of these conditions. His book is certainly the most complete and informative study of Hegel\'s interpretation of Aristotle and of the Aristotelian elements that can be found in Hegel\'s thought.\'

– Adriaan Peperzak, Author of The Owl of Minerva

\'Ferrarin\'s book on Hegel and Aristotle remains a milestone for all future investigation on the topic. It is an exegetical study of details of crucial value, one that surpasses all partial work that has been done so far.\'

– Angelica Nuzzo, Author of Hegel-Studien

\'This ambitious and exciting book … Ferrarin demonstrates remarkable control of a range of problems in Hegel, Hegelian studies, and the bibliographical issues raised by this tradition. Here Ferrarin\'s scholarly skills are at their impressive best.\'

– Helen S. Lang, The Review of Metaphysics

\'Ferrarin most thoroughly compares the Metaphysics with the Science of Logic and On the Soul with the Organics and Subjective Spirit sections of the Encyclopaedia. The latter comparison forms the center of the book, and all scholars of Aristotle and Hegel will benefit from it … One can only hope that this fine book helps reorient Hegel scholarship toward deeper study of Aristotle and awakens interest in Hegel among Aristotelians.\'

– James H. Wilkinson, The Journal of the History of Philosophy