Half Hour Hegel: Phenomenology of Spirit (Reason, Observation of Nature sec. 262-265)

In this 107th video in the new series on G.W.F. Hegel's great early work, the Phenomenology of Spirit, we continue our study of a new major section of the work, "Reason," discussing the sub-section, "Observing Reason". I read and comment on paragraphs 262, 263, 264, and 265 of the text here.

Continuing his examination of organic being, Hegel points out that the viewpoint on it encompasses two sides - the inner and the outer, and now turns to the proposed law "the outer is the expression of the inner". This law ought to apply to the totality of the organism, the foundation of both inner and outer. But this requires that we examine what this inner and this outer are.

The inner must itself have an outer that is not identical with what has been called outer, otherwise it would not be observable at all. But the inner presents itself as a fluid but determinate unity, and has determinate functions - Sensibility, Irritability, and Reproduction. Presumably then, the law must take these into account.

In this video series, I will be working through the entire Phenomenology, paragraph by paragraph -- for each one, first reading the paragraph, and then commenting on what Hegel is doing, referencing, discussing, etc. in that paragraph.

This series is designed to provide an innovative digital resource that will assist students, lifelong learners, professionals, and even other philosophers in studying this classic work by Hegel for generations to come.

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[ligottifan]

The commentary and explanation for 264 in particular was great. No way I would've gotten that just from the section and the analysis at the back of the book. Thanks!

[Philopantheon]

Thank you very much for this very intricate and algorithmic kind of explanation of Hegel's phenomenology. I always believed that this could be the inly way one can explain Hegel's work buy honestly I had no clues to do that. Great applaud here from someone who read Hegel enthusiastically from Iraq. I welcome resembling lectures on others like Kant or Heidegger

[Second]

This was/is by far one of most difficult section for me. Only way i can make it to be understandable is that Hegel goes against old views of dualistic nature of material body dirven by instics and (resonable/human) soul which makes all the thinking. Hegel unites them as Perhaps i'm bit stupid (well, i am) but once name Descartes poped into my head this section started to make sense for me, paragraph 252 particularly.