By: Hegel (Simple)

Hegel (Simple) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:37:38 +0000

§ 60: From a single apple to the whole tree

When I pick an apple, I take only this one apple. That is a single act of taking possession.

But often more is at stake. My hunger comes back every day. The tree bears new fruit every year. So I pick again and again. And I take care that the tree does not suffer from it. I do not break off branches. I let it keep growing.

What does this mean?

The single act of picking turns into a sign. It says: Not only the apple is mine, but the tree. Perhaps even the ground it stands on.

The same goes for fishing. Say you fish in the same pond every year. And you spare the young fish. Then you show that the pond is yours.

The human being thinks ahead. An animal eats what it happens to find. The human being wants to own something that will still be there tomorrow. He provides for the future.

Summary: Use that repeats and takes care works like a sign. It shows that the source belongs to me, not only the single fruit.

By: Hegel (Notes)

Hegel (Notes) — Wed, 27 Nov 1822 08:06:32 +0000

α) § 60. – Use as sign of taking possession of the whole thing – namely, a single use – difference of the thing from use – unity is in the sign of property.
β) all individual uses actually constitute the thing – § 61.
Hitherto presupposed [was] the immediately singular in possession – now the universal –
§ 60 contains the general determination of this sphere. α) Immediate use – use in general – is really physical – external will – relates to the particular – and at once has a higher sense – or distinction of my immediacy and of universality –
Taking possession fulfills its*) determination in immediate use
β) Using-up – taking possession of the singular only [as] thing – but insofar for representation – also of the universal thing – My need as such only for this moment – but man as a thinking being must want to possess a universal – provision
or using-up is sign – sign and immediate taking-possession in one
*[above:] receives the

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By: Hegel (Simple)

By: Hegel (Notes)