
Hegel and the Symbolic Mediation of Spirit
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Employs Derrida's critique of Hegel as the impetus for a new understanding of Hegel's concept of "spirit."
Description
Contesting the widely-held assumption that Hegel shows a clear preference for the sign over the symbol, this book expounds the indispensable importance of the symbol for spirit's ultimate determination. Employing Derrida's critique of Hegel as the impetus for a new understanding of Hegel's concept of spirit, the book forces readers to take a fresh look at issues in the philosophy of language, aesthetics, and theology. Magnus shows how the collective power Hegel calls "spirit" remains relevant to the contemporary human situation, even in light of the serious and pressing objections of postmodern philosophy.
Kathleen Dow Magnus is an instructor of philosophy at the Julius-Maximilians-Universita¬t, Wu¬rzburg, Germany.
Reviews
"The strength and originality of Kathleen Dow Magnus's work is that she sees Hegel's texts as deepening our understanding of true self-determination and of the vital role played by symbols in such self-determination. Thanks are due to Dr. Magnus for showing us a Hegel who continues to be deeply relevant to both the modern and the postmodern worlds." — Stephen Houlgate, editor of Hegel and the Philosophy of Nature
"Semiotics and symbolism (in and out of literature) are both important subjects, and controversial ones as well. Neither has been much discussed in relation to Hegel. This book is a welcome supplement to other treatments of Hegel's theory of language. It has much to teach us." — Martin Donougho, University of South Carolina-Columbia