Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences

What it is

First published in 1817 and later revised in 1827 and 1830, this is the only book in which Hegel published his complete mature philosophical system. He wrote it as a teaching aid for students attending his lectures, intended to be explained further through his spoken commentary.

Why it matters

The book organizes Hegel's philosophy into logic, nature, and spirit, showing how he believed an idea develops step by step until it becomes fully self-aware. Later editions included additional notes from his students' lecture notes, meaning the text we read today blends Hegel's own writing with material added after by others who studied under him.

Look closer

• Why might a philosopher need a short, numbered textbook version of his much longer and harder books?
• What problems could arise from later editions mixing Hegel's own words with notes his students took?
• What does the image of an idea 'growing like a seed' suggest about how Hegel saw knowledge developing?