On the Arbitrary Nature of Things: An Agnostic Reading of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit

On the Arbitrary Nature of Things: An Agnostic Reading of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit

On the Arbitrary Nature of Things approaches Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit through a paradigm of agnosticism developed from Hegel’s own critique of systems of knowledge. This work traces Hegel’s descriptions of the movements of Spirit with equal measures of charity and skepticism. It provokes one to question the level of agnosticism that should be taken toward our various systems of human understanding, both in Hegel’s Phenomenology and in our contemporary world. With respect to our contemporary world, Bridges questions whether the nature of things is ultimately arbitrary and finds that phenomena such as the placebo effect and the use of sensoriums in phenomenological anthropology add credence to the position of agnosticism toward the arbitrary nature of things. "Hegel's Phenomenology of Sp irit can be read from many points of view. Bridges chooses not just a skeptical approach but an agnostic one. He . . . calls into question not only Hegel's solution but also the way he poses the problem. It is hard to imagine a more provocative examination of the Phenomenology of Spirit ." --Ingolf U. Dalferth, Claremont Graduate University, emeritus "This short but carefully crafted volume . . . focuses on Hegel and our inability to know (agnostic) the difference between external objects and the subjective concepts by which we understand them (arbitrary vs. nonarbitrary). Bridges delves beyond a mere historical investigation of philosophy to include anthropological studies on perception, and reflects on the assumptions of the double-blind randomized clinical trial (placebo)." --T. L. Brink, Crafton Hills College "Andrew Lee Bridges's investigation into the history of mind--be it cosmic, human, or divine--with skeptical discoveries in Hegel's work of its arbitrariness in relation to any universal direction or purpose and the agnosticism that follows . . . is an important study in universal relativism." --Roland Faber, Claremont School of Theology Andrew Lee Bridges received his PhD in Religion and his MA in Philosophy from Claremont Graduate University. He also received his MA in Theology from Claremont School of Theology. Bridges teaches philosophy and religious studies in Southern California.