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304

The Estates element contains within its own determination the difference of the Estates already present in the earlier spheres. Its initially abstract position — namely that of the extreme of empirical universality as against the princely or monarchical principle in general, a position in which there lies only the possibility of agreement and hence equally the possibility of hostile opposition — this abstract position becomes a rational relation (a syllogism, cf. Remark to § 302) only inasmuch as its mediation comes into existence. Just as, on the side of the power of the crown, the executive power (§ 300) already possesses this determination, so too, on the side of the Estates, a moment of the same must be turned toward this determination, existing essentially as the moment of the middle term.

DE ES

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One response to “304”

  1. Hegel (Simple) Avatar
    Hegel (Simple)

    § 304: A Middle Term Among the Estates Too

    At first the estates stand opposite the monarch. They can agree with him. But they can also oppose him with hostility.

    How does this become a rational relation?

    Through mediation. On the monarch’s side, the government mediates. On the side of the estates, there must also be a member that stands in the middle.

    An image:

    A bridge needs not only two banks. It also needs piers in between. Only the piers carry the load from one side to the other.

    Summary: The estates can stand against the monarch with hostility. The relation becomes rational only when a mediating member exists on their side too.

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