The Meaning of “Category” in Hegel’s 'Phenomenology of Spirit'

Aim of this essay is to review Hegel’s references to the notion of “category” in the Phenomenology of Spirit, in order not only to better understand the purpose of the – often underrated – chapt. V on “The Certainty and Truth of Reason”, but also to gain further insight on Hegel’s parallel criticism of Fichte’s and Kant’s approaches to the path of reason. It will be finally argued that his inquiry into the notion of category helps Hegel to set for reason a constant reminder about its own phenomenological journey.