Hegel and the Foundations of Literary Theory

Habib argues that the basic principles and assumptions of modern literary theory derive from the thought of German philosopher Hegel.

M. A. R. Habib (Author)

9781108471381, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 November 2018

346 pages, 1 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.65 kg

'M. A. R. Habib proposes in this immensely important and lucidly argued book Hegel's dialectical method as foundational for our moral and social conscience and as an indispensable critical tool for assessment of the deficiencies of modernity. The book presents Hegel's dialectics as a form of subversive thinking that anticipates contemporary literary theory by establishing identity as a process rather than as an essence, thus enabling a critique of the internal contradictions both of bourgeois thought and capitalist ideology. Hegel and the Foundations of Literary Theory is wonderfully readable. It elucidates both contemporary theory and Hegel's philosophy, and it is entirely convincing in its claim that liberal humanism is unthinkable without Hegel.' Harold Schweizer, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania

Do the various forms of literary theory - deconstruction, Marxism, new historicism, feminism, post-colonialism, and cultural/digital studies - have anything in common? If so, what are the fundamental principles of theory? What is its ideological orientation? Can it still be of use to us in understanding basic intellectual and ethical dilemmas of our time? These questions continue to perplex both students and teachers of literary theory. Habib finds the answers in theory's largely unacknowledged roots in the thought of German philosopher Hegel. Hegel's insights continue to frame the very terms of theory to this day. Habib explains Hegel's complex ideas and how they have percolated through the intellectual history of the last century. This book will interest teachers and students of literature, literary theory and the history of ideas, illuminating how our modern world came into being, and how we can better understand the salient issues of our own time.

Introduction
Part I. Hegel: The Historical And Philosophical Setting: 1. The Hegelian dialectic
2. Historical backgrounds
3. Hegel, philosopher of capitalism
4. Hegel on identity and difference
5. Hegelian identity and economics
Part II. Literary Theory: Reading The Dialectic: 6. Hegel and deconstruction: 7. Hegel on language
8. Literary theory on Hegel and language Saussure, Barthes, Derrida, Deleuze
9. Hegel, language, and the unconscious Kristeva
10. Hegel's dialectic of master and slave
11. The master-slave dialectic in literary theory: allegorical readings: Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Derrida
12. Marx on the Hegelian dialectic
13. Hegel and Marxist literary theory (I) Horkheimer, Adorno and Benjamin
14. Hegel and Marxist literary theory (II) Slavoj Žižek
15. Hegel on woman: Antigone
16. Feminists on Hegel and Antigone: Irigaray, Butler, (Derrida)
17. Historical contexts of Hegel's views on women
Epilogue: the futures of theory: towards a dialectical humanism.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900 [HPCD], Literary theory [DSA], Literature: history & criticism [DS]