Hegel and the History of Political Philo [Hardcover]

Browning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 1999

The status of Hegel as a political philosopher is ambiguous. On the one hand, he is seen as a perceptive theorist of the modern political world, and yet his claim to have assimilated past perspectives into an absolute reading of modern politics repels a sceptical contemp-orary turn of mind. This book assesses Hegel's political philosophy by relating Hegel to a number of predecessors and successors. The Hegelian notion of the interdependence of political philosophy and its history is developed and criticised. Hegel's substantive political philosophy is examined in essays reviewing Hegel's critical assimilation of Plato and Hobbes and in studies appraising subsequent critiques of Hegel by Stirner, Marx and Collingwood. The contemporary relevance of Hegel, a theme of the book, is highlighted in essays comparing Hegel with Lyotard and Rawls.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In this impressive comparative study, Gary Browning sets Hegel's political philosophy against the tradition that preceded him (Plato, Hobbes) and the one he has helped to shape (Stirner, Marx, Collingwood, Lyotard and even as Browning argues, Rawls). In so doing, Browning helps us arrive at a balanced assessment of Hegel's achievement, his place in the history of political thought, and his own contribution as an historian of ideas. This collection of essays provides an excellent way in to Hegel's political philosophy for those who are familiar with other figures from the tradition, whilst forcing Hegel scholars to test his ideas against different but related outlooks, and to question for themselves what is distinctive and living in the Hegelian position. It is accessible, well-informed and well-judged.' - Robert Sterne, Department of Philosophy, University of Sheffield Author of Hegel, Kant and the Structure of the Object, editor of G.W.F Hegel: Critical Assessments and past editor of the Bulletin of the Hegel Society of Great Britain. 'Browning's excellent and informative collection of essays considers Hegel's thought.' - Ian Fraser, Political Studies

About the Author

GARY K. BROWNING is Professor of Politics at Oxford Brookes University. He is the author of Plato and Hegel: Two Modes of Philosophising about Politics and a number of journal articles about Hegel and Political Thought in Political Studies History of Political Thought and other journals.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave MD (February 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 033367085X
• ISBN-13: 978-0333670859
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!, March 20, 2005

By 

Bertrand Russell "Bertrand Russell" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hegel and the History of Political Philosophy (Hardcover)

This book is definately worth reading! Chapters 5 and 6 are exceptionally good. Highly recommended!