Quote #39

It must be observed at the outset, that the phenomenon we investigate - Universal History - belongs to the realm of Spirit. The term 'World,' includes both physical and psychical Nature. Physical Nature also plays its part in the World's History, - and attention will have to be paid to the fundamental natural relations thus involved. But Spirit, and the course of its development, is our substantial object.

More from Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel

  1. The enquiry into the essential destiny of Reason - as far as it is considered in reference to the World - is identical with the question, w…
  2. On the stage on which we are observing it, - Universal History - Spirit displays itself in its most concrete reality.
  3. In history, we are concerned with what has been and what is; in philosophy, however, we are concerned not with what belongs exclusively to …
  4. The present is not the occasion for unfolding the idea of Spirit speculatively; for whatever has a place in an Introduction, must, as alrea…
  5. The Few assume to be the deputies, but they are often only the despoilers of the Many.
  6. As the essence of Matter is Gravity, so, on the other hand, we may affirm that the substance, the essence of Spirit is Freedom. All will re…
  7. It is a matter of perfect indifference where a thing originated; the only question is: 'Is it true in and for itself?'
  8. Matter possesses gravity in virtue of its tendency towards a central point. It is essentially composite; consisting of parts that exclude e…

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