The Phenomenology of Spirit (or of consciousness, as it has been traditionally rendered), published 200 years ago, is the most famous work of Hegel (1770-1831). Although the work may still be considered youthful, its reputation is not by chance: No other work in the history of thought undertakes with such vigor and precision to show how knowledge develops and establishes itself throughout history.

Hegel believes that his time finally achieved the correct meaning of "to know," but only the path that led to it justifies its adoption. Only by tracing the upheavals that consciousness endures until it attains a non-contradictory position can one accomplish the task Kant undertook in the Critique of Pure Reason. The Phenomenology of Spirit is this retrospective: A history of thought viewed from a systematic perspective.

Here, Hegel first develops his original method, dialectics, which was to prove fertile for addressing human phenomena. Directly influenced by this approach are Marx and the Marxists, Kierkegaard and the existentialists, Dilthey and the hermeneutic school, as well as social scientists like the psychoanalyst Lacan or the psychologist studying intelligence, Piaget - even William James expressed his admiration for it.

The indirect impact of the work is incalculable. No one has remained untouched, either positively or negatively. It is a classic work in the history of philosophy.

The text of the Phenomenology is among the most difficult in philosophical literature. The translation was undertaken by George Faraklas, an expert on Hegel's philosophy and an experienced translator of philosophical texts. He offers us here a text that is primarily faithful but also, as much as possible, readable. His informative notes alleviate many difficulties in understanding and interpretation. The extensive discussion of Hegel's translational difficulties helps us navigate the challenging Hegelian landscape on our own.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]