The Phenomenology of Spirit

G. W. F. Hegel’s first masterpiece, the Phenomenology of Spirit, is one of the great works of philosophy. It remains, however, one of the most challenging and mysterious books ever written. Michael Inwood presents this central work to the modern reader in an intelligible and accurate new translation. This translation attempts to convey, as accurately as possible, the subtle nuances of the original German text. Inwood also provides a detailed commentary that explains what Hegel is saying at each stage of his argument and also discusses the philosophical issues it raises. This volume will therefore prove invaluable to those who want to get to grips with Hegel’s thought processes and to follow his complex argument.

Born in London in 1944 and educated at Alleyn’s School and University College, Oxford, Michael Inwood studied classics and specialised in philosophy. Most of Inwood’s publications were on German philosophy, especially Hegel and Heidegger, but occasionally on Greek philosophy. Inwood was a Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Trinity College, Oxford, from 1967 until 2011, and was later an Emeritus Fellow of the College.