Devouring Nature: On Assimilation and Consumption in Hegel’s System

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In this book, you will discover the deep connection between the concepts of assimilation and consumption in Hegel’s philosophy. Tracing their development across Hegel’s system—from the Logic and Philosophy of Nature to the Phenomenology of Spirit and Philosophy of Right—the book shows that consumption is a fully actualized form of assimilation. It argues that consumption is not merely a social practice, but is rooted in ontological and normative structures, revealing consumption as a way of culturally assimilating nature and shaping modern ethical life.
Copyright Year:
2025
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-74434-9
Publication:
25 Aug 2025
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-74431-8
Publication:
07 Aug 2025
Cover Devouring Nature: On Assimilation and Consumption in Hegel’s System

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Eduardo Assalone, Ph.D., is a researcher at CONICET and a professor at the National University of Mar del Plata. His work explores Hegel’s social and political philosophy, with a focus on recognition and modern ethical life.
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations

Introduction

1 The Torture of Tantalus: the Logical Structure of Assimilation
 Introduction
 1 The Logical Life: Judgment and Genus from a Logical Point of View
 2 The Life-Process in Hegel’s Logic
 3 The Logic of Assimilation
 Concluding Remarks

2 The Nature of Hunger: Assimilation in the Philosophy of Organic Nature
 Introduction
 1 The Philosophy of Organic Nature: The Animal as Subject
 2 The Systematic Place of Assimilation in the Philosophy of Organic Nature
 3 The Theoretical Process, the Practical Process and the Formative Drive
 Concluding Remarks

3 The Idealism of Desire: Consumption in Chapter IV of the Phenomenology of Spirit
 Introduction
 1 Self-Consciousness and Life: the Animal’s Idealist Wisdom
 2 The Desire of Self-Consciousness
 3 From Real Assimilation to Formal Assimilation: from Consumption to Work
 Concluding Remarks

4 Between Diogenes and Marie Antoinette: Consumption in Civil Society
 Introduction
 1 Human Needs and the Mediation of Work
 2 Assimilation in Consumption
 3 Culture and the Principle of Recognition in Fashion
 4 The Liberation of Natural Necessity and the Ambivalence of Luxury
 5 The Human/Animal Difference: the Multiplication of Human Needs
 6 The Division and Mechanization of Labor
 7 Universal Resources and the Police
 8 The Extremes of Consumption: the Rise of the Rabble
 9 Recognition and Estate Honor: the Corporation
 10 Recognition and Consumption
 Concluding Remarks

Conclusion
 1 Some Ethical Consequences
 2 Coda: the Ultimate Assimilation
References
Index
This book is useful for students and scholars of philosophy, especially those interested in Hegel’s conception of life, nature, and economy.
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Publisher:
Brill
Language:
English
Pages:
xii, 153 pp.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004744349

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