By: Hegel (Simple)

Hegel (Simple) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:52:00 +0000

§ 109: From plan to deed

How does the moral will act? In three steps.

First, it gives itself a content. It makes a plan. For now, the plan is only in the will. It is merely inward. That is a limit.

Second, it wants to overcome this limit. It wants to bring the plan outside, into the world. It becomes active.

Third, the content stays the same in this process. What was in the head before is now outside. We call this content, which stays the same inside and outside, the purpose.

An example:

A woman decides to plant a garden. At first, this is only a thought. Then she digs, sows and waters. In the end, the garden blooms. It is the same garden she set out to make. Only now it is real.

Summary: The will makes a plan, brings it outside and keeps its content as it does so. We call this content the purpose.

By: Hegel (Notes)

Hegel (Notes) — Wed, 18 Dec 1822 08:08:32 +0000

[zu § 108/109] Difference of the subjective will in its ends, purposes, interests –
as I know it – and will it.
§ 108. 109. Subjectivity as such – i.e. opposition – particular will.
Formal determinations of the content. The subjective will has a content – earlier merely a need – incidental – right did not depend on it – but now content [counts] as content of the will, and is therefore essential.
§ 109/113 Action is to be taken up right here

[zu § 109] Here content first occurs as such; –
Formal objectivity as externality in general.
Will
α) determines itself – this is the negation of its indeterminacy – content at the same time essentially posited as in it, subjective – or first negation – not yet infinity
β) activity
γ) identity – end is α) content in me as subjectively determined – representation – β) determined to be objective – and to remain the same.
Content first as such, as indifferent to the form of translation [into existence] – but also then to subjectivity – insofar as it is distinguished from it

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By: Hegel (Simple)

By: Hegel (Notes)