This volume discusses the transitions in Hegels Phenomenology of Spirit from one configuration of what Hegel calls consciousness and spirit to the next. These transitions, so the main point put forward here, are conceived of on the basis of a peculiar semantic theory. The book tries to give a detailed analysis of this theory and to reconstruct the transitions accordingly. The aim is to better understand why and how Hegel thinks of the Phenomenology as an introduction in his system of philosophy.