By: Hegel (Simple)

Hegel (Simple) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:55:41 +0000

§ 170: Care instead of self-seeking

A family lasts over a long time. So it needs more than things for the moment. It needs a secure possession that lasts. A house, savings, an income.

What changes here?

For the single person, property was often a matter of desire and self-seeking. In the family it turns into care for the community. Whoever works for his family does not work only for himself. You think of the children, of old age, of hard times. Self-seeking turns into something ethical.

An old pattern:

In the legends about the founding of states, two things often appear together: marriage and settled property. Both belong to the start of an ordered life.

We will see later, in civil society, what exactly the resources consist in.

Summary: The family needs lasting resources. Through the family, selfish possession turns into ethical care for the community.

By: Hegel (Notes)

Hegel (Notes) — Tue, 04 Feb 1823 08:06:32 +0000

One person – nothing particular here with regard to the relation of the person to property – represented only as property of persons toward one another –
Human being – individual is something – something objective – as family – ethical property –
For the family, respect – provision – in office – one can let an individual look after himself, but a family one takes up [and cares for] – the best recommendation for promotion etc. Father of a family – not merely because many are provided for in him, but – his interest, his purpose, his consciousness is not self-seeking – not [that of] the single individual as such – but a universal.
Checking, breaking of desire – singularity – the cock eats nothing for himself – seeks out the hens and chicks – touching –

Comments on: 170

By: Hegel (Simple)

By: Hegel (Notes)