This volume presents the second edition of the first part of Hegel’s Science of Logic, specifically The Objective Logic, Volume I: The Doctrine of Being, as part of the Academia study edition in the historical-critical edition of the Gesammelte Werke (Collected Works). It includes extensive editor’s notes, bibliographical references, and translations for quotations in classical languages, designed to enhance accessibility for contemporary readers. Hegel’s Science of Logic is one of the most fundamental and dense works in the history of philosophy, serving as the cornerstone for Hegel’s entire philosophical system. This volume explores the dialectical development of the concept of Being, laying the groundwork for a deeper engagement with reality itself, and serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding Hegel’s dialectical method.
Hegel’s exploration of Being in this work marks the beginning of the philosophy of the nature of existence (ontology). Divided into three major sections—Determination (Quality), Quantity, and Measure—the work progresses from the simplest and most abstract category, Being, and examines its transitions through various dialectical stages. The first section, Determination (Quality), introduces the dialectical relation between Being and Nothing, examining how these seemingly oppositional concepts are united in the concept of Becoming. From there, Hegel explores how the finite and infinite, as well as the concepts of Being-for-Itself, unity, and multiplicity, come into play within the dialectical unfolding of Being. The second section addresses Quantity, distinguishing between pure quantity and the measured quantity that comes into play when more specific determinations are made. The final section on Measure furthers this analysis, considering how specific measures of quantity relate to the underlying concept of Being, culminating in Hegel’s notion of the Becoming of Essence.
The Science of Logic is a systematic inquiry into the evolution of thought and the fundamental structures of reality, although according to Hegel’s own standards enframed by his own historical context. For Hegel, the dialectical movement between categories such as Being, Nothing, and Becoming are not just abstractions but the very process by which reality itself unfolds, though some have argued that the step from Nothing to Becoming is illegitimate and not so simple. This volume, by engaging deeply with these categories, offers readers a way to understand the unfolding of reality through the lens of Hegel’s dialectical logic.
This edition is designed not only for scholars and students of Hegel but also for anyone interested in understanding the development of Hegelian logic. The editor’s notes and commentary provide important context, making complex ideas more accessible and clarifying difficult concepts. Additionally, translations of classical language quotations allow modern readers to engage with the text without linguistic barriers. The detailed appendices—offering historical commentary, notes on the second edition of the Science of Logic, and guides to symbols and abbreviations—enhance the reader’s understanding, providing essential background for a full engagement with Hegel’s ideas.
The 1832 edition of the Science of Logic marks a critical revision of the original 1812/13 edition. Hegel first wrote Science of Logic after completing his Phenomenology of Spirit while working as a teacher in Nuremberg, preparing the groundwork for what would become his dialectical system. The work was published in two volumes: the first, The Objective Logic, in 1812 and 1813, and the second, The Subjective Logic, in 1816. The first part of The Objective Logic (1812) addresses the Doctrine of Being, which examines the most abstract categories of existence. The second part (1813) delves into the Doctrine of Essence, which explores more concrete categories of being and their relationships.
After the first edition of Science of Logic went out of stock in 1826, Hegel began a process of revision. Rather than reprinting the first edition, as had been requested, he undertook significant revisions to enhance the clarity and depth of the work. By 1831, he had completed a greatly revised and expanded version of the Doctrine of Being. However, Hegel did not have the time to revise the remaining sections of the book, as he passed away in November of that year. The Preface to the second edition is dated November 7, 1831, just before his death. The revised edition of the Doctrine of Being was published in 1832, and the complete second edition was later included in Hegel’s posthumous works, making this edition a vital and authoritative text in understanding his philosophical system.
Unlike the first edition, the revision emphasizes a more clear, dense systematic and coherent presentation of Hegel’s logic, connecting the development of abstract concepts to their applications his later experience, knowledge, and historical processes. The 1832 edition represents Hegel’s final vision of his Science of Logic, offering a more mature engagement with the fundamental structures of thought and reality.
This critical edition of the Science of Logic offers readers an essential tool for understanding Hegel’s dialectical method, with comprehensive notes and context that clarify his complex ideas. It provides an authoritative version of the 1832 edition, a significant revision of the original 1812/13 text, and serves as a vital resource for scholars and philosophers seeking to engage deeply with Hegel’s thought.
Simon Gros 
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