Simply Hegel

Great Lives, Book 18

By: Robert L. Wicks

Narrated by: Angus Freathy

Born in Stuttgart, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) attended the Gymnasium Illustre and, at the age of 18, entered the Tübingen Seminary, from which he received his theological certificate in 1793. His early writings, composed while he was serving as a family tutor in Bern and Frankfurt, dealt with religious subjects. From 1801 until his untimely death 30 years later, Hegel held professorships at several prestigious universities and went on to write the landmark works for which he’s known, including his masterpiece the Phenomenology of Spirit (1807). Renowned in his own time, he gained great fame as a lecturer, with students coming from all over Europe to attend his classes.

In Simply Hegel, Robert L. Wicks presents Hegel’s revolutionary philosophy in clear and simple language, illuminating not only his basic ideas, but also the deeper meanings hidden within the book. Wicks’s analysis also contextualizes Hegel’s thought by providing a vivid chronology of his times, which included such earth-shaking events as the French Revolution and Napoleon’s invasion of Prussia.

Offering the listener key insights into German idealist philosophy, as well as Hegel’s unique role in the evolution of ideas, Simply Hegel is a superb introduction to both a towering historical figure and a philosophical system that continues to echo through our own times.

©2020 Robert L. Wicks (P)2020 Simply Charly

To the point

Great summary of difficult topics
Great list of other related books and authors
I’ll read more by him!

This is a very clearly written book that doesn't sacrifice too much as far as depth of content is concerned.

I liked the task/goal of the author. Hegel is a notoriously hard to understand (and often misunderstood) philosopher, and the attempt to render his thought palpable is admirable. Although the author's particular interpretation of Hegel is debatable (as many interpretations of great writers are), this is a good book.