History & Truth in Hegel's Phenomenology

ÒThis fairly small book must take its place as the best introductory study of HegelÕs Phenomenology available.Ó ÑPhilosophy and Phenomenological ResearchÒWestphalÕs book is a comprehensive guide to the argument of the entire phenomenology. . . . will repay close study by serious undergraduate and graduate students of philosophy.Ó ÑChoiceThis detailed interpretation of HegelÕs Phenomenology of Spirit seeks to show that the unity of this classic work may be found in the integration of its transcendental and sociological-historical themes. Merold Westphal argues that the key to this unity lies in HegelÕs radical discovery that transcendental subjectivity has a social history and that absolute knowledge is a historically conditioned and essentially collective or social event. His distinctive interpretation emphasizes the relevance of HegelÕs Phenomenology to contemporary philosophical issues.