Hegel (ePub)

This accessible and highly readable book is the first full-length
biography of Hegel to be published since the largely outdated
treatments of the nineteenth century. Althaus draws on new
historical material and scholarly sources about the life and times
of this most enigmatic and influential of modern philosophers. He
paints a living portrait of a thinker whose personality was more
complex than is often imagined, and shows that Hegel's relation to
his revolutionary times was also more ambiguous than is usually
accepted.

Althaus presents a broad chronological narrative of Hegel's
development from his early theological studies in Tübingen and
the associated unpublished writings, profoundly critical of the
established religious orthodoxies. He traces Hegel's years of
philosophical apprenticeship with Schelling in Jena as he struggled
for an independent intellectual position, up to the crowning period
of influence and success in Berlin where Hegel appeared as the
advocate of the modern Prussian state. Althaus tells a vivid story
of Hegel's life and his intellectual and personal crises, drawing
generously on the philosopher's own words from his extensive
correspondence. His central role in the cultural and political life
of the time is illuminated by the impressions and responses of his
contemporaries, such as Schelling, Schleiermacher and Goethe.

This panoramic introduction to Hegel's life, work and times will
be a valuable resource for scholars, students and anyone interested
in this towering figure of philosophy.