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128

Distress reveals both the finitude, and hence the contingency, of right as well as of welfare — of the abstract existence of freedom, without its being the existence of the particular person, and of the sphere of the particular will without the universality of right. Their one-sidedness and ideality are thereby posited, just as this is already determined at them, in the concept itself; right has already (§ 106) determined its existence as the particular will, and subjectivity, in its comprehensive particularity, is itself the existence of freedom (§ 127), just as it1 is, in itself, as the infinite relation of the will to itself, the universal of freedom. These two moments, thus integrated at themselves into their truth, their identity — but at first still in relative relation to one another — are the good, as the fulfilled universal determined in and for itself, and conscience, as the infinite subjectivity that knows within itself and determines the content within itself.

  1. Hegel’s Handexemplar. subjectivity ↩︎

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2 responses to “128”

  1. Hegel (Notes) Avatar
    Hegel (Notes)

    Right – must have life – well-being raised to universality – must raise itself – of a thinking being – passes over into right – opposition and unity come to the fore –
    Transition –
    α) Transition from the right of necessity and the right of life – only life, as that which the person has, is a right – in itself – not opposed in concept – on the contrary, at this highest point of opposition – raised to identity itself – spirit comes to itself, turns back – finds itself, – the prerogative of spirit.
    Right – the universal concept of the will
    Subjectivity, particularity – life
    Both one-sided – the Idea [is] their unity –
    β) The form of intention as a particular content. – Toward the universal[:] the universal content is the spiritual [content] of the will, and more closely determined, one that contains within itself the universal will (concept – personality) and the particular (morality) – concrete freedom. Universality – str[ict] right – determined within itself – particularity. – It [is] subjectivity –
    First of all the good – the concept of the will – that which for itself [is] right and existence, – particularity, – at its pure apex – as the universal of the will, determined within itself – and in such a way that this determinacy is the subject’s own –
    Spiritual [determinacy]: α) of the universal, β) subjectivity, γ) content through the concept.
    The good is at first still abstract – because [it is] only abstract as a determinacy
    Conscience – particularity that knows, determines, thinks ends – not something received
    Neither the end of particularity for itself – nor abstract right for itself – but rather the unity of both – absolute right – the absolute opposition [of] life, well-being – and abstract right.
    Spirit grasps this unity – grasps itself; a theoretical transition.
    – Subjective
    α) formally, to know absolute right, to will the universal of the action, my interest
    β) but particular willing – a misapprehension of particularity; only the universal particularity is [the existence] of freedom.

  2. Hegel (Simple) Avatar
    Hegel (Simple)

    § 128: What distress shows

    Distress has taught us something. Right alone is not everything. And welfare alone is not everything either.

    Why?

    In distress, right can become cruel. Someone who looks only at property lets the hungry man die. Welfare, in turn, can violate right. Someone who looks only at his own survival takes what belongs to others. Both sides are one-sided. Each needs the other.

    What follows from this?

    We need something that joins both: the right that holds for all, and the welfare of the single person. This union has two sides.

    The one side is the good. It is the universal that carries right and welfare within it.

    The other side is conscience. It is the inner life of a person, which knows and decides for itself what is good.

    Summary: Distress shows that right and welfare are each one-sided on their own. Their unity is the good. Inside the person, conscience matches it.

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