Philosophy

The Purpose of Hegel's Science of Logic. Daniel Fidel Ferrer, Central Michigan University Libraries, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831) only published two major philosophical works. His other writings are mostly expanded lecture notes from the classes he taught. In 1806, Hegel published the Phenomenology of Spirit and recently the French and Americans have emphasis that this early work by Hegel is his most important work. It has spawned two great traditions, namely Marxism and Existentialism. Whereas, the Germans, Russians, and Chinese have always put the emphasis on the Science of Logic (published in part during 1812,1813, and 1816 revised and published after his death in 1832) as being his mature and main philosophical work. What is the purpose of the Science of Logic? What did Hegel want to accomplish in writing this great work? Hegel thought in 1801 that only logic can serve as an introduction to philosophy, in 1806 he switch to the Phenomenology of Spirit as an introduction to his system of philosophy, but later he switch back to the absolute beginning in the Science of Logic. What was that Hegel proposed to do in the Science of Logic and what did he actual accomplish?