Philosophy of Right
by G. W. F. Hegel · Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts
Assigned by 2 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1821
- Form
- Political theory
- Language
- German
- Length
- Long · 400 pp300 to 700 pages
- Difficulty
- Difficult4 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendElements of the Philosophy of Right, translated by H. B. NisbetCambridge University Press, 1991Allen Wood's edition with Hegel's own additions and full notes; the standard scholarly text.
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Hegel's political philosophy, published as a textbook for his Berlin lectures. It moves from abstract right, the realm of persons, property and contract, through morality, the standpoint of the individual conscience, to ethical life, which unfolds in the family, civil society and the state. Hegel treats the modern market economy and its poverty, argues for a constitutional monarchy with estates and a professional civil service, and ends with world history as the court of judgement on states. The preface contains the claim that what is rational is actual and what is actual is rational.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Philosophy of Right are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
