In this identity of the universal and the particular will, duty and right thus coincide in one; and, through the ethical, the human being has rights to the extent that he has duties, and duties to the extent that he has rights. In abstract right, I have the right and another has the duty against it; in the moral, it is only supposed to be the case that the right of my own knowing and willing, as well as of my welfare, is united with duties and is objective.
Duties are binding relations, relations to substantial ethical life – but this is my essence, has existence through myself – Its existence, i.e. its right, that I respect it, its existence, is my duty, – is also my right, it is the existence of my freedom.
What is imposed on human beings as duty is to happen for the sake of something; – not merely to have their advantage directly or indirectly bound up in it – but for the sake of something in which they have their dignity, freedom, whose existence is therefore their existence – is their right.
Not merely: others have rights, I am equal to them, am a person as they are, I ought to have duties toward their rights, – as their equal I ought, through these duties, also to have rights – connection through comparison.
Absolute mediation, of the existence of the substantial, of the right of the substantial, i.e. of my duty – through my existence, i.e. my right – and conversely.
Diversity of rights and duties – relates [itself] to the particular – difference of estates, of office. Formal relation within the particular.
α) What I perform, for it I receive something specifically other – but value as duty, right of another, obligation – means – and I the end in it
β) Identical content – as to substance – right and duty, to belong to the state, right, n[atural] existence as individual – duty – marriage – I am the existence, binding.
The slave can have no duties, and only the free human being has such. If all rights were on one side and all duties on the other, the whole would dissolve, for it is only identity that is the foundation we have to hold fast to here.
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