A Translation of: Wolfgang Bonsiepen. (1988). “Einleitung.” In Phänomenlogie des Geistes, by G.W.

F Hegel, and edited by

Hans-Friedrich Wessels and Heinrich Clairmont. Hamburg: Felix Meiner Verlag: p. IX–LXII.

The informative introduction of J. Hoffmeister, to his edition of the Phenomenology of Spirit,1 shall be deepened, refined, and
supplemented in the following. In contrast to Hoffmeister, the conceptual history of the term “phenomenology” can be demonstrated
in a more differentiated way (A.), with reference to K. L. Reinhold's conception of phenomenology, which may have led Hegel to the
final naming of his work. The results of the historical-critical edition of the Phenomenology of Spirit2 and the more recent research on
the development of the Jena system permit a more exact reconstruction of the history of the origin of the work ( B.). First, the printing
history (B.1.), followed by the development of the Jena system will be discussed (B.2.). In order to make the difficult reading of the
work easier for the reader, an attempt is made to trace the course of argument of the entire work. (C.1. and C.2.). Finally, reference is
made to Hegel's reassessment of the Phenomenology of Spirit in his later encyclopedic System of Philosophy, to his plans for a second
ed. (D.) and on the early reception of the work, already partially referred to by Hoffmeister (E.).

A. ON THE TERM [BEGRIFF] “PHENOMENOLOGY”

There prevails an uncertainty concerning the first occurrence of the term “phenomenology.” The adjective “phenomenological”

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