This volume provides a collection of early writings and excerpts from Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel’s educational and formative years. It encompasses writings from his time in gymnasium (1785-1788), his years in Bern (1794-1796), and various undated excerpts. The contents cover philosophical reflections, pedagogical insights, definitions of central philosophical terms, and observations on European culture and society.
The Gymnasium Period Excerpts include Hegel’s early thoughts on education, philosophy, and psychology. Topics span from reflections on Stoicism, happiness, and the soul to broader issues like freedom, metaphysics, and enlightenment across ancient cultures like Persia and Egypt.
Definitions of Various Subjects focus on Hegel’s reflections on foundational philosophical concepts, such as Philosophizing, Change, Logic, and States, offering insight into how Hegel approached abstract philosophical questions even in his youth.
In the Bern Period Excerpts, Hegel addresses literature, theology, and history of the time. His critiques and observations include sources such as the Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung, Mosheim’s Church History, and Forster’s Views from the Lower Rhine, reflecting Hegel’s engagement with the intellectual landscape of his time.
Hegel’s Excerpts on the Government of Bern feature his observations on Swiss political structures, including critiques of the Bernese government, extracted from notable texts of the era, like Du gouvernement de Berne and Seigneux’s Systeme abregé.
The volume concludes with Reports on Missing Texts and an Appendix detailing the editorial process, abbreviations, and references to secondary sources, as well as an Index of Names. This structured compilation offers a comprehensive look at Hegel’s intellectual development during his early years, providing valuable context for understanding his later philosophical contributions.
Simon Gros 
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