Description: Frederick Neuhouser's task is to understand the conceptions of freedom on which Hegel's social theory rests and to show how they ground his arguments in defense of the modern social world. In doing so, the author focuses on Hegel's most important and least understood contribution to social philosophy, the idea of "social freedom."
Brief description: Frederick Neuhouser is Professor of Philosophy at Barnard College and the author of Fichte's Theory of Subjectivity.
Review Quotes: This is a fine book, and it will be a significant contribution both to Hegel scholarship and to contemporary philosophical discussions of modern ethical life. It is unfailingly fair-minded, insightful, intelligent, and sensible in its approach to various controversies; clear, often to the point of lapidary, in presentation; original, especially in its excellent, innovative use of Rousseau; and is based on a solid knowledge of the mature Hegel's writings on ethical and political philosophy. There is no question in my mind that it will play a long and decisive role in future discussions of Hegel.--Robert B. Pippin, University of Chicago