Lectures on the History of Philosophy, Volume 3: Medieval and Modern Philosophy

The third and final volume of Hegel’s Lectures on the History of philosophy concludes with Medieval and modern philosophy (at least up to the time of Hegel in the mid-19th century).Initially he provides a short cursory coverage of Arabian and Jewish Philosophy in the middle Ages. His coverage of Jewish philosophy is inadequate, being restricted to a couple of pages on Maimonides. His short review of Arabian philosophy is not much better. His main focus then is on the early Church philosophers and the further development of metaphysics. He considers various topics of controversy during this period: (e.g., nominalism as opposed to the concept of realism).The modern section begins with Bacon and Boehme. It is surprising how much material he devotes to the highly speculative and spiritualistic philosopher Boehme. Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, and Kant are afforded large sections, while others such as Hobbes, Berkley, Hume, etc., are passed over lightly.Much of this material reflects Hegel’s thoughts that philosophy and theology are basically one and the same. But when Hegel wrote this was an assumed position of many; it would have to wait for the likes of Feuerbach, Nietzsche and others to seriously challenge the domination of theology on human reasoning.

World history includes the history of philosophy. In Hegel's case that means that the triad of "notion", "dialectic", and "idea" will result in various concretions of the idea in philosophy. In these volumes on the "history of philosophy" we find ourselves moving through Hegel's grasp of Heraclitus in volume one, Aristotle in volume two, and "Kant" in volume three. These volumes are essential to understanding Hegel and his position in a historical context. In volume three you will encounter Kant in pages 423 to 479. This is important material. Remember Hegel went beyond Kant and took his 12 abstract categories and went beyond epistemology and created "20" determinate categories. That is significant and needs to be in your library. Hegel approaches Kant here with an examination of theoretical reason, the transition through judgment, and finally practical reason. Again; Hegel finished out his career by lecturing the last 10 years of his life from 1821 to 1831. He finally reached his definitive position in 1827. Therefore the lectures are the best source, absolute best source for understanding Hegel. this volume is likewise recommended; highly recommended.

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