By: Hegel (Simple)

Hegel (Simple) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:54:47 +0000

§ 167: Marriage is monogamy

Marriage is essentially a union of one man and one woman.

Why?

In marriage a person gives himself wholly. This devotion must be whole, not split. Only then does each recognize himself in the other as a person. Where someone has several partners, the devotion splits. Then you favor one and push the others back. Favor and whim rule.

How important is this?

Marriage, and above all monogamy, is one of the firm pillars. The ethical life of a community rests on these pillars. That is why old legends tell of gods or heroes who founded states. Along with the states, they also founded marriage.

Summary: Marriage is essentially monogamy, because only undivided devotion respects the person. It is a pillar of every ethical community.

By: Hegel (Notes)

Hegel (Notes) — Mon, 03 Feb 1823 08:06:32 +0000

Status of the woman, – is housewife, – thus as this person – naturalness – and indeed a lasting relation. Several wives – subordination – of inequality – the husband's will, preference, in order – but will – relation of tokens of favor – children, preferred over another wife – is something particular preferred – arbitrariness, first asserting oneself in particularity against preference.
Women in the Orient rule – do not themselves attend to the household, but rather slaves do – household patriarchal, monarchical – commanding, ordering, oversight – composed of particulars – several concubines – relates to physical need – not recognition. One wife the housewife –
Two extremes:
α) polygamy – wives [as] slaves; – must court the man
β) chivalry – infinite elevation of the woman – ideality, religion –
Free, undivided love – honor of personality. – The man according to his individuality – the woman as to be esteemed and posited as equal – not higher – as in chivalry to have, as it were, his religion in the woman – to create for himself a struggle, infinite adventures, heroism – for her sake – or gallantry in modern states – intrigues – the woman aims at personality – not the universal, in and for itself, of the state –
Equality, sameness of rights and of duties – the man should not count for more than the woman – nor for less, – in slavery – or polygamy – he still retains his individuality for others –
Infinitely important – or common to the political condition – depends on the state of the laws concerning the family – where divorce is quite easy – as in Cicero's time – an element of the dissolution of the state – if divorce is absolutely forbidden, [as in] Catholic marriage, – no justice is done to the moment of disposition – of reflection – ethical – divine bond – higher and lower estates – among these, disposition as a substantial relation.
Objectivity of individuality: α) in the despotic relation not objective – hence not ethical – tyrannical – arbitrariness – remains closed up within itself, has not truly given itself up as particular – holds itself back within itself – β) in chivalry and gallantry [it is] objective only as particular individuality – not as something higher – servant of his particular individuality –

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By: Hegel (Simple)

By: Hegel (Notes)