This volume presents Hegel’s in-depth lectures on the Philosophy of Nature, offering insight into his unique approach in contrast to Schelling’s philosophy of nature. The lectures documented here span two significant periods during Hegel’s time in Berlin: the winter semester of 1825/26 and the summer semester of 1828. The winter lectures are captured in Moritz Eduard Pinder’s transcript, with variants from Heinrich Wilhelm Dove’s notes, while the summer lectures are preserved in the notes of Alexander Friedrich von Hueck, supplemented by versions from Karol Libelt. Together, these transcripts provide an unparalleled view of Hegel’s mature reflections on nature, carefully recorded by his students and enriched with editor’s annotations.
In these lectures, Hegel expounds upon nature as a dynamic, structured process organized into three principal divisions: Mechanics, Physics, and Organic Physics. Each division unfolds in accordance with Hegel’s dialectical method, proceeding from the most elementary concepts to increasingly complex forms. In Mechanics, Hegel examines absolute mechanics and the principles of motion and force that form the physical world’s structural basis. This section not only addresses fundamental mechanics but also establishes a framework for understanding the interplay of forces that contribute to nature’s cohesion.
Moving into Physics, Hegel explores the details of the properties of matter and the universal laws governing the physical world, navigating concepts such as space, time, and material composition. In doing so, he highlights the interconnections within natural processes and emphasizes the dialectical relationships that underpin material existence.
The final section, Organic Physics, marks a culmination in Hegel’s philosophy of nature, addressing the geological, biological, and organic dimensions that characterize the living world. Here, Hegel examines life as a complex organization of matter, tracing its development as an emergent phenomenon within nature. This approach not only completes his logical analysis of natural phenomena but also aligns with his broader philosophical system, in which nature evolves toward greater unity and self-realization.
This critical edition includes a detailed editorial report, explanatory notes, and an appendix of symbols and abbreviations to guide readers through the technical terminology and the structure of Hegel’s argumentation. Additionally, the forthcoming third volume will offer supplementary material compiled by Carl Ludwig Michelet, a close disciple of Hegel, with previously unanalyzed sources that provide further context for Hegel’s philosophy of nature.
By situating metaphysical ideas within observable nature, Hegel presents nature as a self-organizing process governed by dialectical principles, revealing the design of relations that form the basis of reality itself. Through this comprehensive study of Hegel’s exploration of natural categories, readers gain valuable insight into his dialectical system and its implications for understanding both nature and philosophy.
Simon Gros 
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