Hegel and the Logical Structure of Love: An Essay on Sexualities, Family and the Law (Avebury Series in Philosophy)

This study offers an interpretation of the meaning and complex inter-relationship of the concepts of love, sexuality, family and the law. It argues that they should be understood as forms of an interplay between the subjective and objective, neccessity and contingency and unity and difference. The first part of the book shows that a comprehensive elaboration of these forms is to be found in Hegel's "Science of logic" the conclusions of which he used to organise his socio-political thought. The argument is supported by an exploration of the relationship between thought, being, language and recognition of Hegel's philosophy. The second part of the book offers a re-assessment of Hegel's treatment of love, sexual relationships, the family and law in light of the authors' interpretation of his "Logic". This constitutes the basis of a reconceptualisation of these and of a wide-ranging review of discourse, including those of feminism and of gay and lesbian sexualities. As well as addressing concerns about sexual differences and the ontology of homosexuality, the study provides a guide to reading Hegel in a productive way.