193

This moment thus becomes a particular determination of purpose for the means themselves, and for their possession, as well as for the manner and way of satisfying needs. It further contains, immediately, the demand for equality with others in this respect; the need for this equality, on the one hand, and the making of oneself equal — imitation — as, on the other hand, the need for the particularity likewise present within it, of asserting oneself through some distinction, itself becomes an actual source of the multiplication of needs and of their spread.

DE ES

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  1. Hegel (Simple) Avatar
    Hegel (Simple)

    § 193: Being equal and standing out

    Because we adjust to each other, two wishes arise.

    The first: I want to be like the others. What the neighbors have, I want to have too. I imitate.

    The second: I want to stand out from the others. I want to have something special that they do not have.

    Both wishes drive the needs further. They multiply them and spread them. This is how fashion arises. Today everyone wears a certain coat, because someone first wore it to stand out.

    Summary: The wish to be equal and the wish to stand out drive each other on. Both multiply the needs.

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