Hegel's Ontology of Power: The Structure of Social Domination in Capitalism

Arash Abazari's book explores Hegel's ontology to uncover his critical social theory, arguing that social domination in capitalism is based on the illusion of equality and freedom, and that relations of opposition underpin the pluralism in capitalism. He demonstrates that Hegel's logic can and should be read politically.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Recent attempts to revitalize Hegel's social and political philosophy have faced two significant constraints. Firstly, their focus on Hegel's Philosophy of Right, limiting their exploration to a particular aspect of his thought. Secondly, their predominantly liberal interpretive framework, which shapes their understanding of Hegel's ideas. In contrast, Arash Abazari challenges this trend by arguing that the true locus of Hegel's critical social theory lies in his ontology, particularly in the logic of essence of the Science of Logic. By drawing upon ideas from Marx and Adorno, Abazari unveils the hidden critical import of Hegel's logic. He demonstrates how social domination in capitalism arises through the illusion of equality and freedom, how relations of opposition underpin the apparent pluralism in capitalism, and how the totality of capitalist social relations forms the deepest ground of domination. Through his comprehensive analysis, Abazari shows that Hegel's logic can and should be read politically, offering a fresh perspective on his social and political philosophy.

Introduction:
Recent attempts to revitalize Hegel's social and political philosophy have faced two significant constraints. Firstly, their focus on Hegel's Philosophy of Right, limiting their exploration to a particular aspect of his thought. Secondly, their predominantly liberal interpretive framework, which shapes their understanding of Hegel's ideas. In contrast, Arash Abazari challenges this trend by arguing that the true locus of Hegel's critical social theory lies in his ontology, particularly in the logic of essence of the Science of Logic. By drawing upon ideas from Marx and Adorno, Abazari unveils the hidden critical import of Hegel's logic. He demonstrates how social domination in capitalism arises through the illusion of equality and freedom, how relations of opposition underpin the apparent pluralism in capitalism, and how the totality of capitalist social relations forms the deepest ground of domination. Through his comprehensive analysis, Abazari shows that Hegel's logic can and should be read politically, offering a fresh perspective on his social and political philosophy.

The Constraints of Previous Approaches:
The traditional approach to Hegel's social and political philosophy has often been constrained by its focus on Hegel's Philosophy of Right. While the Philosophy of Right is an important part of Hegel's oeuvre, it represents only a small portion of his overall thought. By limiting their analysis to this aspect, scholars have overlooked the broader critical social theory that Hegel developed throughout his career.

Furthermore, the traditional liberal interpretive framework has also hindered the understanding of Hegel's social and political philosophy. Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom, equality, and social justice, which are important values in Hegel's work. However, the liberal framework tends to interpret Hegel's ideas in a narrow and superficial way, failing to recognize the deeper social and political implications of his ideas.

The Critical Social Theory of Hegel:
Arash Abazari argues that the true locus of Hegel's critical social theory is to be sought in his ontology, specifically in the logic of essence of the Science of Logic. By mobilizing ideas from Marx and Adorno, Abazari unveils the hidden critical import of Hegel's logic. He demonstrates how social domination in capitalism obtains by virtue of the illusion of equality and freedom, how relations of opposition underlie the seeming pluralism in capitalism, and how the totality of capitalist social relations forms the deepest ground of domination.

The Illusion of Equality and Freedom:
Abazari argues that social domination in capitalism arises through the illusion of equality and freedom. Capitalism creates the appearance of equality by providing individuals with the means to pursue their interests and achieve economic success. However, the reality is that capitalism is based on the unequal distribution of wealth and power, with a small elite controlling the majority of resources and wealth. This inequality creates a power imbalance that allows the elite to dominate the rest of society.

Relations of Opposition:
Abazari further shows how relations of opposition underlie the seeming pluralism in capitalism. While capitalism appears to offer a wide range of choices and opportunities, these choices are limited by the underlying power structures and economic inequalities. The dominant ideology of capitalism promotes individualism and consumerism, which undermine the collective interests of society and perpetuate social domination.

The Totality of Capitalist Social Relations:
The deepest ground of domination, according to Abazari, is the totality of capitalist social relations. Capitalism is not just a system of economic exchange but a social and cultural system that permeates every aspect of life. The relations of production, distribution, and consumption that define capitalism create a hierarchical structure that privileges the elite and marginalizes the rest of society. This totality of capitalist social relations forms the basis for social domination and inequality.

Reading Hegel Politically:
Arash Abazari's book demonstrates that Hegel's logic can and should be read politically. Hegel's philosophy is not just a philosophical exercise but a critical analysis of the social and political structures that shape our lives. By recognizing the political implications of Hegel's ideas, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in contemporary society and develop strategies to overcome them.

In conclusion, recent attempts to revitalize Hegel's social and political philosophy have faced two significant constraints. Firstly, their focus on Hegel's Philosophy of Right, limiting their exploration to a particular aspect of his thought. Secondly, their predominantly liberal interpretive framework, which shapes their understanding of Hegel's ideas. By challenging these constraints and arguing for the critical social theory of Hegel's ontology, Arash Abazari offers a fresh perspective on Hegel's social and political philosophy. His book demonstrates that Hegel's logic can and should be read politically, offering a valuable contribution to our understanding of contemporary society and the challenges we face.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108792325
Edition number: New ed