The fragment of a manuscript titled Logic, Metaphysics, and Philosophy of Nature from the years 1804/1805 forms the second system draft by Hegel from his Jena period, which was, however, interrupted for substantive reasons. The significance of this fragment lies particularly in the fact that this draft differs from both the preceding and the subsequent ones, not only in terms of the conceptual tools used but also with regard to certain methodological constructions.
It presents an essential exposition of Hegel’s philosophical system and presents the foundational principles of Hegel’s system, offering a detailed analysis of concepts such as quantity, infinity, and the relation of being and thinking. In the section on logic, Hegel explores the nature of judgment, the real and ideal processes of cognition, and the realization of the subject and the universal.
In metaphysics, the text addresses fundamental laws such as identity, contradiction, and sufficient reason, while also investigating the metaphysical status of the soul, the world, and the highest being. The volume’s treatment of subjectivity considers both theoretical and practical aspects of the self, culminating in the concept of the absolute spirit.
The philosophy of nature section extends into Hegel’s views on the natural world, from the movement of celestial bodies to the mechanics of earthly processes. This section includes a detailed examination of the construction of matter, the chemical processes of nature, and an early consideration of physics, all framed within Hegel’s dynamic view of nature as an evolving system.
The book also includes several appendices, offering additional notes, drafts, and outlines related to Hegel’s metaphysical system, providing valuable context for the reader’s understanding.
Simon Gros 
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