The encyclopedia’s abbreviation is the true form of philosophical exposition
Evidence
The Hegelian Outline presupposes only itself. Rather than being the summary of a fuller development that will follow, it represents the original and genuine form of philosophical exposition. The ‘cramping’ of the ‘systematic derivation’ of ideas, i.e. their ‘proof’ as formerly understood, must not be an arbitrary amputation, but must respect the intrinsic movement of speculative unfolding. If Hegel can insist that this method is not one applied externally to the content, it is because it embraces the same rhythm: hence its movement is simply to accelerate its own course, decreasing the effort involved and shortening the time taken to complete it. ‘The nature of an encyclopedia is to abbreviate.’ — Catherine Malabou, The Future of Hegel, 1042
Categorization
- DEFINE: The surprising claim that the Outline/encyclopedia form is primary rather than a digest of a fuller development.
- XREF: connects to: Classification into an encyclopedia entry neutralizes the threat of heresy