In the following translation, I have attempted to follow the style and substance of the original text as closely as possible. For example, on those occasions when Hegel's own manuscript of the lectures lapses into note form, I have preserved its disjointed character as far as this could be done without prejudice to the sense. Johannes Hoffmeister, on whose edition the present translation is based, enclosed in square brackets all words and phrases which he had himself supplied in order to complete Hegel's sense or syntax, and, wherever possible, I have reproduced these brackets at the appropriate points in the English translation. On a few occasions, I was compelled to omit some of Hoffmeister's notes on minor linguistic details – such as German word endings and prepositional usage – which Hoffmeister thought necessary to correct or alter; I have done so, however, only in cases where a translation of Hegel's original word or words would have made no sense in relation to my rendering of Hoffmeister's corrected version.

At relevant points in the text, I have supplied footnotes on some of the main terms on which translators of Hegel have tended to disagree in the past. (These translator's notes, keyed by superior symbols, appear at the foot of the appropriate pages, whereas Hoffmeister's editorial notes, and notes by Hegel himself, are keyed by superior numerals and are printed at the end of the appropriate sections of the text.)