Half Hour Hegel: Phenomenology of Spirit (Stoicism, Skepticism, Unhappy Consciousness, sec. 205)

In this eighty-fifth video in the new series on G.W.F. Hegel's great early work, the Phenomenology of Spirit, we begin our study of the third portion of the section "Self-Consciousness", i.e. "The Freedom of Self-Consciousness". I read and comment on paragraph 205 of the text here.

In this very long paragraph, Hegel works out some of the implications of the Skeptic's position for the skeptical consciousness, and for the viability of skepticism as a philosophical and cultural stance. Skepticism remains an ever-present possibility revealed as such in consciousness, precisely because consciousness itself is revealed as a dialectical mess -- the disorder and confusion are not outside of it, but also within it.

There turns out to be a split going on within consciousness then -- into a contingent and empirical side of determinate, but seemingly meaningless existence -- and an essential, universal side, self-identical, eternal. Consciousness is both of these, and can also dialectically go against either one of these -- and does so in alternation, unable to find itself fully at either pole.

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. Skepticism is thus revealed as contradictory, even incoherent - not abstractly so, but only performatively, as a dynamic.

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.

My videos are used by students, lifelong learners, other professors, and professionals to learn more about topics, texts, and thinkers in philosophy, religious studies, literature, social-political theory, critical thinking, and communications. These include college and university classes, British A-levels preparation, and Indian civil service (IAS) examination preparation

(Amazon links are associate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

#Hegel #Phenomenology #Philosophy #Idealism #German #Dialectic #Spirit #Absolute #Knowledge #History

[QuintessentialQs]

Holy crap, near the end of the last video I said to myself, "So, could consciousness be said to be the dialectic itself? Or at least the state of flux described by the dialectic?" And next paragraph, Hegel says "consciousness itself is the absolute dialectical unrest..." I think I'm finally actually learning to read this stuff.

[eatsbugs]

I feel like this installment ended on a cliffhanger! We've reduced the universe to nothing? What could be left? Where is love? Will John confess his love to Martha?

[Retrogamer]

Great section going on here. Greg doing perfect justice to this. I was wondering what notion momentarily drew you to utter Augustine?