Hegel and the State

Franz Rosenzweig (1886–1929) is one of the most original Jewish thinkers of the modern period. Following the First World War, he sought to bring about a novel synthesis of philosophy and theology he termed the "new thinking," shaping the course of early twentieth-century Jewish and Christian dialogue. His engagement with the theme of human finitude made a lasting impact on twentieth-century existentialism and he undertook two major works of translation, most notably the German translation of the Hebrew Bible in which he collaborated with Martin Buber. He founded a center for Jewish adult education in Frankfurt – the Lehrhaus – which attracted the most important young German Jewish intellectuals of its time and which is still held up today as a model for educational programs of its type. His life is marked by several extraordinary personal experiences, including a near-conversion to Christianity, an inspired return to Judaism, the composition of the beginning of his magnum opus on military postcards sent home from the Balkan front and the abandonment of a promising academic career in order to live and teach in the Frankfurt Jewish community. As well as Hegel and the State (1920), he is the author of what is arguably the greatest work of modern Jewish philosophy: The Star of Redemption (1921).

• Foreword Myriam Bienenstock Translators’ Introduction Josiah Simon and Jules Simon Translators’ Acknowledgments. Preface Volume 1: Stations of Life (1770 – 1806) 1. Preliminary Remarks 2. Stuttgart 3. Tübingen 4. Bern 5. Two Political Writings 6. Frankfurt 7. Jena (until 1803) 8. Jena (after 1804) Volume 2: Epochs of the World (1806-1831) 9. Napoleon 10. Restoration 11. Prussia 12. July Revolution 13. Concluding Remarks. Afterword Axel Honneth Translators’ Note on Abbreviations and Secondary Sources Abbreviations Secondary Sources Translators’ Bibliography. Index

'…even those with a decent enough German are likely to be very grateful for this excellent translation… As well as their Introduction that places the work in the context of Rosenzweig’s philosophical development and discusses translation quandaries, there is a Foreword by a highly respected doyen of Rosenzweig studies, Myriam Bienenstock, and a helpful Afterword by Alex Honneth.' - Wayne Cristaudo, The European Legacy'This remarkable book by one of the twentieth century’s leading philosophers and religious thinkers, available for the first time in English translation, is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the relationship between political and religious thought has shaped our world. For those who are interested in Hegel’s political philosophy, Rosenzweig’s book is an illuminating account of the development and political context of a way of thinking that remains relevant today. For those who are interested in Rosenzweig’s own religiously inflected thought, this volume shows both the great promise and the crushing disappointment of the German political project that is the prelude to his masterwork, The Star of Redemption.' - Paul Franks, Yale University, USA'The best book on Hegel’s political philosophy is Franz Rosenzweig’s Hegel und der Staat, which first appeared in 1920. It is the most thorough in its research, the most extensive in its coverage, and the most rigorous in exposition and argument. Despite these merits, the book has not been translated into English—until now. It appears here in a reliable and accurate translation by Josiah and Jules Simon. This is a major event in Hegel scholarship, and a major contribution to the study of Hegel in the English-speaking world.' - Frederick Beiser, Syracuse University, USA