Hegel’s Critique of Metaphysics

Hegel’s Science of Logic has received less attention than his Phenomenology of Spirit, but Hegel himself took it to be his highest philosophical achievement and the backbone of his system. The present book focuses on this most difficult of Hegel’s published works. Béatrice Longuenesse offers a close analysis of core issues, including discussions of what Hegel means by ‘dialectical logic’, the role and meaning of ‘contradiction’ in Hegel’s philosophy, and Hegel’s justification for the provocative statement that ‘what is actual is rational, what is rational is actual’. She examines both Hegel\'s debt and his polemical reaction to Kant, and shows in great detail how his project of a ‘dialectical’ logic can be understood only in light of its relation to Kant’s ‘transcendental’ logic. This book will appeal to anyone interested in Hegel\'s philosophy and its influence on contemporary philosophical discussion.

• The only English language book to offer a detailed analysis of Hegel’s Science of Logic • Offers an assessment of Hegel’s project in contrast to Kant’s • Includes an analysis of ‘dialectical logic’ and the role and meaning of ‘contradiction’ in Hegel’s philosophy

Part I. Hegel’s Critique of Metaphysics: a study of the Doctrine of Essence: Introduction; 1. Transcendental logic and dialectical logic: from Kant to Hegel, a critique of all dogmatic metaphysics; 2. Twists and turns of Hegel’s contradiction; 3. Ground against Concept?; 4. What is rational is actual, what is actual is rational; Conclusion; Part II. Point of View of Man or Knowledge of God: 5. Point of view of man or knowledge of God: Kant and Hegel on concept, judgement and reason; 6. Hegel on Kant on judgment.