Hegel on Possibility: Dialectics, Contradiction, and Modality

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Providing a clear interpretation of Hegels characterizations of possibility and actuality in the Science of Logic, this book departs from the standard understandings of these concepts to break new ground in Hegelian scholarship. The book draws out some of the implications of Hegels view of immanent possibility, especially as it relates to Leibnizs thesis of modal optimism: his view that this world is the best of all possible worlds. Reading Hegel as a philosopher of possibility, against a tradition that has conceived of him primarily as a philosopher of necessity, rationality, and finitude, Nahum Brown demonstrates the historical background and philosophical traditions from which Hegels concept of possibility emerges. Systematically outlining Hegels conceptions of positive and negative freedom, Brown reveals the Hegelian underpinnings of our conception of reality and what it is to be in the world itself. Original and convincing, this book is crucial for philosophers approaching modality from any tradition.

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This is an impressive resource for Hegels arguments about dialectics, contradiction, and modality, and it will be useful to students as well as specialists. * Journal of the History of Philosophy *
Hegel is traditionally read as a thinker of necessity, rationality and finitude. In his important new book, Nahum Brown reads Hegel as advancing a novel view of possibility and actuality. Brown's widely informed, important study helps us to grasp Hegel's complex conception of possibility. * Tom Rockmore, Chair Professor of Humanities Professor of Philosophy, Peking University, P. R. China *
Hegel on Possibility offers a close and intellectually rigorous reading of key chapters of Hegels Science of Logic. In particular, Browns substitution interpretation of productive contradiction boldly confronts the problem of the contradictory character of totality in Hegels logic of Absolute knowing. Browns unique and creative thesis from Modal Optimism challenges traditional readings of Hegel on possibility, and develops the Hegelian approach to possibility in new, unforeseeable, directions. * Gregory Moss, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong *

Author Bio

Nahum Brown is a lecturer in philosophy at Miyazaki Interantional College, Japan.