The Philosophy of Spirit (Jena Lectures 1805-6)
(Also known as “Realphilosophie” II)

PART II
Actual Spirit

Spirit is actual neither as intelligence nor as will, but as will which is intelligence. That is, in the intelligence there is the unity of two universalities, and in the universal will these are complete Selves. They are a knowing of their own being, and their being is this spiritual [element:] the universal will. In this element, the foregoing has now to exhibit itself. In it, the abstract will has now to transcend or supersede itself (sich aufzuheben) — just as the abstract intelligence has transcended itself in the will, the objects of that intelligence fulfilling themselves on their own. As thus transcended, the will must produce itself in the element of universal recognition, in this spiritual actuality. Possession thereby transforms itself into [property] right, just as [individual] labor was transformed, previously, into universal labor. What was family property, wherein the marriage partners knew themselves, now becomes the generalized [sphere of] the work and enjoyment of everyone. And the difference between individuals now becomes a knowledge of good and evil, of personal right and wrong.

 


Part II.

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