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particularisation; for the universal absolute being; it is the side of its definite existence; the sphere
of its formal reality; the sphere of the reverence paid to God。 — To prehend the absolute
connection of this antithesis; is the profound task of metaphysics。 This Limitation originates all
forms of particularity of whatever kind。 The formal volition 'of which we have spoken' wills itself;
desires to make its own personality valid in all that it purposes and does: even the pious individual
wishes to be saved and happy。 This pole of the antithesis; existing for itself; is — in contrast with
the Absolute Universal Being — a special separate existence; taking cognisance of speciality only;
and willing that alone。 In short it plays its part in the region of mere phenomena。 This is the sphere
of particular purposes; in effecting which individuals exert themselves on behalf of their individuality
— give it full play and objective realisation。 This is also the sphere of happiness and its opposite。
He is happy who finds his condition suited to his special character; will; and fancy; and so enjoys
himself in that condition。 The History of the World is not the theatre of happiness。 Periods of
happiness are blank pages in it; for they are periods of harmony; — periods when the antithesis is
in abeyance。 Reflection on self; — the Freedom above described — is abstractly defined as the
formal element of the activity of the absolute Idea。 The realising activity of which we have spoken
is the middle term of the Syllogism; one of whose extremes is the Universal essence; the Idea;
which reposes in the peralia of Spirit; and the other; the plex of external things; objective
matter。 That activity is the medium by which the universal latent principle is translated into the
domain of objectivity。
§ 29
I will endeavour to make what has been said more vivid and clear by examples。
The building of a house is; in the first instance; a subjective aim and design。 On the other hand we
have; as means; the several substances required for the work; — Iron; Wood; Stones。 The
elements are made use of in working up this material: fire to melt the iron; wind to blow the fire;
water to set wheels in motion; in order to cut the wood; &c。 The result is; that the wind; which has
helped to build the house; is shut out by the house; so also are the violence of rains and floods;
and the destructive powers of fire; so far as the house is made fire…proof。 The stones and beams
obey the law of gravity; — press downwards; — and so high walls are carried up。 Thus the
elements are made use of in accordance with their nature; and yet to co…operate for a product; by
which their operation is limited。 Thus the passions of men are gratified; they develop themselves
and their aims in accordance with their natural tendencies; and build up the edifice of human
society; thus fortifying a position for Right and Order against themselves。
§ 30
The connection of events above indicated; involves also the fact; that in history an additional result
is monly produced by human actions beyond that which they aim at and obtain — that which
they immediately recognise and desire。 They gratify their own interest; but something farther is
thereby acplished; latent in the actions in question; though not present to their consciousness;
and not included in their design。 An analogous example is offered in the case of a man who; from a
feeling of revenge; — perhaps not an unjust one; but produced by injury on the other's part; —
burns that other man's house。 A connection is immediately established between the deed itself and
a train of circumstances not directly included in it; taken abstractedly。 In itself it consisted in merely
presenting a small flame to a small portion of a beam。 Events not involved in that simple act follow
of themselves。 The part of the beam which was set fire to is connected with its remote portions;
the beam itself is united with the woodwork of the house generally; and this with other houses; so
that a wide conflagration ensues; which destroys the goods and chattels of many other persons
besides his against whom the act of revenge was first directed; perhaps even costs not a few men
their lives。 This lay neither in the deed abstractedly; nor in the design of the man who mitted it。
But the action has a further general bearing。 In the design of the doer it was only revenge executed
against an individual in the destruction of his property; but it is moreover a crime; and that involves
punishment also。 This may not have been present to the mind of the perpetrator; still less in his
intention; but his deed itself; the general principles it calls into play; its substantial content entails it。
By this example I wish only to impress on you the consideration; that in a simple act; something
farther may be implicated than lies in the intention and consciousness of the agent。 The example
before us involves; however; this additional consideration; that the substance of the act;
consequently we may say the act itself; recoils upon the perpetrator; — reacts upon him with
destructive tendency。 This union of the two extremes — the embodiment of a general idea in the
form of direct reality; and the elevation of a speciality into connection with universal truth — is
brought to pass; at first sight; under the conditions of an utter diversity of nature between the two;
and an indifference of the one extreme towards the other。 The aims which the agent set before
them are limited and special; but it must be remarked that the agents themselves are intelligent
thinking beings。 The purport of their desires is interwoven with general; essential considerations
of justice; good; duty; &c; for mere desire — volition in its rough and savage forms — falls not
within the scene and sphere of Universal History。 Those general considerations; which form at the
same time a norm for directing aims and actions; have determinate purport; for such an abstraction
as “good for its own sake;” has no place in living reality。 If men are to act; they must not only
intend the Good; but must have decided for themselves whether this or that particular thing is a
Good。 What special course of action; however; is good or not; is determined; as regards the
ordinary contingencies of private life; by the laws and customs of a State; and here no great
difficulty is presented。 Each individual has his position; he knows on the whole what a just;
honourable course of conduct is。 As to ordinary; private relations; the assertion that it is difficult to
choose the right and good; — the regarding it as the mark of an exalted morality to find difficulties
and raise scruples on that score — may be set down to an evil or perverse will; which seeks to
evade duties not in themselves of a perplexing nature; or; at any rate; to an idly reflective habit of
mind — where a feeble will affords no sufficient exercise to the faculties; — leaving them therefore
to find occupation within themselves; and to expend themselves on moral self…adulation。
§ 31
It is quite otherwise with the prehensive relations that History has to do with。 In this sphere are
presented those momentous collisions between existing; acknowledged duties; laws; and rights;
and those contingencies which are adverse to this fixed system; — which assail and even destroy
its foundations and existence; whose tenor may nevertheless seem good;… on the large scale
advantageous; — yes; even indispensable and necessary。 These contingencies realise themselves in
History: they involve a general principle of a different order from that on which depends the
permanence of a people or a State。 This principle is an essential phase in the development of the
creating Idea; of Truth striving and urging towards 'consciousness of' itself。 Historical men …
World…Historical Individuals … are those in whose aims such a general principle lies。
§ 32
Caesar; in danger of losing a position; not perhaps at that time of superiority; yet at least of
equality with the others who were at the head of the State; and of succumbing to those who were
just on the point of being his enemies; … belongs essentially to this category。 These enemies —
who were at the same time pursuing their personal aims — had the form of the constitution; and
the power conferred by an appearance of justice; on their side。 Caesar was contending for the
maintenance of his position; honour; and safety; and; since the power of his opponents included
the sovereignty over the provinces of the Roman Empire; his victory secured for him the conquest
of that entire Empire: and he thus became — though leaving the form of the constitution — the
Autocrat of the State。 That which secured for him the execution of a design; which in the first
instance was of negative import — the Autocracy of Rome; — was; however; at the same time an
independently necessary feature in the history of Rome and of the world。 It was not; then; his
private gain merely; but an unconscious impulse that occasioned the acplishment of that for
which the time was ripe。 Such are all great historical men — whose own particular aims involve
those large issues which are the will of the World…Spirit。 They may be called Heroes; inasmuch as
they have derived their purposes and their vocation; not from the calm; regular course of things;
sanctioned by the existing order; but from a concealed fount — one which has not attained to
phenomenal; present existence; — from that inner Spirit; still hidden beneath the surface; which;
impinging on the outer world as on a shell; bursts it in pieces; because it is another kernel than that
which belonged to the shell in question。 They are men; therefore; who appear to draw the impulse
of their life from themselves; and whose deeds have produced a condition of things and a plex
of historical relations which appear to be only their interest; and their work。
§ 33
Such individuals had no consciousness of the general Idea they were unfolding; while prosecuting
those aims of theirs; on the contrary; they were practical; political men。 But at the same time they
were thinking men; who had an insight into the requirements of the time — what was ripe for
development。 This was the very Truth for their age; for their world; the species next in order; so
to speak; and which was already formed in the womb of time。 It was theirs to know this nascent
principle; the necessary; directly sequent step in progress; which their world was to take; to make
this their aim; and to expend their energy in promoting it。 World…historical men — the Heroes of an
epoch — must; therefore; be recognised as it's clear…sighted ones; their deeds; their words are
the best of that time。 Great men have formed purposes to satisfy themselves; not others。 Whatever
prudent designs and counsels they might have learned from others; would be the more limited and
inconsistent features in their career; for it was they who best understood affairs; from whom
others lea