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Hegel's Transcendental Induction (Hegelian Studies)

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Simpson's book provides a provocative and interesting reading of several important sections of the Phenomenology of Spirit, that treats this text as a whole as a study in the "logic" of induction. He does not consider Hegel's work to be "inductive" in the modern (Lockeian) sense of adding facts upon facts in order to arrive at general conclusions. Rather, Simpson claims that Hegel's argument in the Phenomenology progresses as we (the readers) come to learn from experience what it means to learn from experience. In other words, Simpson aims to show that within Hegel's Phenomenology the concept of induction itself develops inductively. Simpson concludes by indicating briefly the way in which the "inductive" argument that he traces throughout Hegel's text both supports and coincides with the "deductive" side of Hegel's argument that is more often the focus of commentators.

Simpson's thesis - that Hegel's text traces a pathway whereby the capacity for conscious experiencing is shown to develop in response to progressively more sophisticated attempts to articulate and unify experience - receives a capable and insightful defense here. In addition, his study as a whole provides a worthwhile and interesting perspective from which to reexamine Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. His focus on the way in which Hegel's philosophy responds to and develops out of an active concern with actual experience should also provide a strong theoretical basis from which to approach the question of the way in which Hegel's other systematic writings on nature, history, art, religion and politics were informed by and developed in response to Hegel's own scientific, cultural, religious and political experiences. Above all, it is only in light of such investigations that, as it seems to me, we can address adequately the question of the ways in which Hegel's philosophy is relevant today.

This book was written by a 1998 assistant professor; a newbee. But it was edited by William desmond , a true hegel scholar. A few points to begin with: the author actually "emphasizes" induction but truly presents a balanced approach reciprocating between deduction and induction. He presents the Hegelian "middle", rather than a slanted view. He presents the material logically and explains his interpretation of induction in a thorough manner. One extra big plus. You will find the very best commentary on "master/slave" presented in this book; truly superb. I loved this book and found it unique and interesting - and right down the middle. I'M GOING PAST THE 5 STARS HERE. I'M GOING 8 STARS ON THIS BOOK. It is beyond excellent. Wow and back in 1998 too.