An especially accessible introduction to Hegels moral and political philosophy.
In this book, Philip J. Kain introduces Hegels Philosophy of Right by focusing on disagreements, both with standard interpretations of his work and with Hegel himself. Arguing that Hegels justification for punishment ultimately fails, Kain shows how this failure brings into focus the inherent difficulties in justifying punishment at all, thus producing a valuable Hegelian argument against punishment. Whereas many of Hegels critics have argued that he misunderstands Kants categorical imperative, Kain argues the opposite: that Hegel has a sophisticated understanding of it and simply attempts to provide a broader ethical context for Kants position. In addressing these and other questions, such as whether Hegels theory of recognition, properly understood, can provide philosophical support for same-sex marriage, and whether supporting monarchy over democracy means that Hegel seeks less rather than greater power for the state, Kain makes Hegels work more approachable by drawing out philosophical points of independent importance.
