Anorganicexistenceissuchaquantum，likethenumberthreeoramagnet，etc。Itisthatwhichisincreasedordiminished，andifitisincreased，thenbothitsfactorsareincreased，asmuchasbothpolesofthemagnetorbothkindsofelectricityincreaseifthepotentialofamagnetorofoneoftheelectriccurrentsisraised。
Thatbotharejustaslittledifferentinintensionandextension，thattheonecannotdecreaseinextensionandincreaseinintension，whiletheotherconverselyhastodiminishitsintensionandincreaseinextension——thiscomesfromthesamenotionofanunrealandemptyopposition。Therealintensionisabsolutelyasgreatastheextensionandviceversa。
Whatreallyhappensinframingalawofthiskindisobviouslythatattheoutsetirritabilityandsensibilityaretakentoconstitutethespecificallydeterminateorganicopposition。Thiscontent，however，islostsightofandtheoppositiongoesoffintoaformaloppositionofquantitativeincreaseanddiminution，orofdifferentintensionandextension——anoppositionwhichhasnolongeranythingtodowiththenatureofsensibilityandirritability，andnolongerexpressesit。Hencethismereplayingatlaw-makingisnotconfinedtoorganicmomentsbutcanbecarriedoneverywherewitheverythingandrestsingeneralonwantofacquaintancewiththelogicalnatureoftheseoppositions。
Lastly，if，insteadofsensibilityandirritability，reproductionisbroughtintorelationwithoneorotherofthem，thenthereiswantingeventheoccasionforframinglawsofthiskind；forreproductiondoesnotstandinanyoppositiontothosemoments，astheyareopposedtooneanother；andsincethemakingofsuchlawsassumesthisopposition，thereisnopossibilityhereofitsevenappearingtotakeplace。
Thelaw-makingjustconsideredimpliesthedifferencesoftheorganism，takeninthesenseofmomentsofitsnotion，and，strictlyspeaking，shouldbeanaprioriprocess。Butitessentiallyinvolvesthisidea，thatthosedifferenceshavethesignificanceofbeingpresentassomethinggiven，andtheattitudeofmereobservationhasinanycasetoconfineitselfmerelytotheiractualexistence。Organicrealitynecessarilyhaswithinitsuchanoppositionasitsnotionexpresses，andwhichcanbedeterminedasirritabilityandsensibility，astheseagainbothappeardistinctfromreproduction。Theaspectinwhichthemomentsofthenotionoforganismarehereconsidered，theirExternality，istheproperandpeculiarimmediateexternalityoftheinner；nottheouterwhichistheouterembodiedformofthewholeorganism；theinneristobeconsideredinrelationtothislateron。
If，however，theoppositionofthemomentsisapprehendedasitisfoundinactualexistence，thensensibility，irritability，reproductionsinktothelevelofcommonproperties，whichareuniversalsjustasindifferenttowardsoneanotherasspecificweight，colour，hardness，etc。Inthissenseitmaydoubtlessbeobservedthatoneorganicbeingismoresensitive，ormoreirritable，orhasagreaterreproductivecapacitythananother:justaswemayobservethatthesensibility，etc。，ofoneisinkinddifferentfromthatofanother，thatonerespondsdifferentlyfromanothertoagivensimulus，e。g。ahorsebehavesdifferentlytowardsoatsfromwhatitdoestowardshay，andadogagaindifferentlytowardsboth，andsoon。Thesedifferencescanasreadilybeobservedasthatonebodyisharderthananother，andsoon。
Butthesesenseproperties，hardness，colour，etc。，asalsothephenomenaofrespondingtothestimulusofoats，ofirritabilityundercertainkindsofload，orofproducingthenumberandkindofyoung——allsuchpropertiesandphenomena，whenrelatedtooneanotherandcomparedinterse，essentiallydefytheattempttoreducethemtolaw。Forthecharacteristicoftheirbeingsensuousfactsconsistsjustintheirexistingincompleteindifferencetooneanother，andinmanifestingthefreedomofnatureemancipatedfromthecontrolofthenotion，ratherthantheunityofarelation——inexhibitingnature\'sirrationalwayofplayingupanddownthescaleofcontingentquantitybetweenthemomentsofthenotion，ratherthanintheseforththesemomentsthemselves。
Itistheotheraspect，inwhichtilesimplemomentsofthenotionoforganismarecomparedwiththemomentsoftheactualembodiment，thatwouldfirstfurnishthelawproperforexpressingthetrueouterasthecopyoftheinner。
Nowbecausethosesimplemomentsarepropertiesthatpermeateandpervadethewhole，theydonotfindsuchadetachedrealexpressionintheorganicthingastoformwhatwecallanindividualsystemwithadefinitestructure(Gestalt)。Or，again，iftheabstractideaoforganismistrulyexpressedinthosethreemomentsmerelybecausetheyarenothingstable，butmomentsofthenotionanditsprocess，theorganism，ontheotherhand，quaadefiniteembodiment，isnotexhaustivelyexpressedinthosethreedeterminatesystemsinthewayanatomyanalysesanddescribesthem。Sofarassuchsystemsaretobefoundintheiractualrealityandrenderedlegitimatebybeingsofound，wemustalsobearinmindthatanatomynotonlyputsbeforeusthreesystemsofthatsort，butagoodmanyothersaswell。
Further，apartfromthis，thesensitivesystemasawholemustmeansomethingquitedifferentfromwhatiscalledanervoussystem，theirritablesystemsomethingdifferentfromthemuscularsystem，thereproductivefromtheintestinalmechanismofreproduction。Inthesystemsconstitutinganembodiedform(Gestalt)theorganismisapprehendedfromtheabstractsideoflifelessphysicalexistence:sotaken，itsmomentsareelementsofacorpseandfalltobedealtwithbyanatomy；
theydonotappertaintoknowledgeandtothelivingorganism。Quapartsofthatsorttheyhavereallyceasedtobe，fortheyceasetobeprocesses。Sincethebeingofanorganismconsistsessentiallyinuniversality，orreflexionintoself，thebeingofitstotality，likeitsmoments，cannotconsistinananatomicalsystem。Theactualexpressionofthewhole，andtheexternalizationofitsmoments，arereallyfoundonlyasaprocessandamovement，runningthroughoutthevariouspartsoftheembodiedorganism；andinthisprocesswhatisextractedasanindividualsystemandfixatedso，appearsessentiallyasafluidmoment。Sothattherealitywhichanatomyfindscannotbetakenforitsrealbeing，butonlythatrealityasaprocess，aprocessinwhichaloneeventheanatomicalpartshaveasignificance。
Wesee，then，thatthemomentsofthe“inner“beingoftheorganismtakenseparatelybythemselvesarenotcapableoffurnishingaspectsofalawofbeing，sinceinalawofthatsorttheyarepredicatedofanobjectiveexistence，aredistinguishedfromoneanother，andthuseachaspectwouldnotbeabletobeequallynamedinplaceoftheother。Further，weseethat，whenplacedononeside，theydonotfindintheotheraspecttheirrealizationinafixedsystem；forthisfixedsystemisaslittlesomethingthatcouldconveytrulythegeneralnatureoforganicexistence，asitistheexpressionofthosemomentsoftheinnerlifeoftheorganism。Theessentialnatureofwhatisorganic，sincethisisinherentlysomethinguniversal，liesaltogetherratherinhavingitsmomentsequallyuniversalinconcretereality，i。e。inhavingthemaspermeatingprocesses，andnotingivingacopyoftheuniversalinanisolatedthing。
Inthismannertheideaofalawinthecaseoforganicexistenceslipsaltogetherfromourgrasp。
Thelawwantstograspandexpresstheoppositionasstaticaspects，andtoattachaspredicatesofthemthecharacteristicwhichisreallytheirrelationtooneanother。Theinner，towhichfallstheuniversalityappearingintheprocess，andtheouter，towhichbelongthepartsofthestaticstructureoftheorganism，weretoconstitutethecorrespondingsidesofthelaw；buttheylose，inbeingkeptasunderinthisway，theirorganicsignificance。Andatthebottomoftheideaoflawliesjustthis，thatitstwoaspectsshouldhaveasubsistenceeachonitsownaccountindifferenttotheother，andtherelationofthetwosidesshouldbesharedbetweenthem，thusappearingasatwofoldcharacteristiccorrespondingtothatrelation。Butreallyeachaspectoftheorganismconsistsinherentlyinbeingsimpleuniversality，whereinalldeterminationsaredissolved，andinbeingtheprocessofthisresolution。
Ifwequiteseethedifferencebetweenthiswayofframinglawsandpreviousforms，itwillclearupitsnaturecompletely。Turningbacktotheprocessofperceivingandthatofunderstanding(intelligence)，whichreflectsitselfintoitself，andbysodoingdeterminesitsobject，weseethatunderstandingdoesnottherehavebeforeitselfinitsobjecttherelationoftheseabstractdeterminations，universalandindividual，essentialandexternal；onthecontrary，itisitselftheactualtransition，therelationalprocess，andtoitselfthistransitiondoesnotbecomeobjective。Here，ontheotherhand，theorganicunity，i。e。justtherelationofthoseopposites，isitselftheobject；andthisrelationisapureprocessoftransition。Thisprocessinitssimplicityisdirectlyuniversality；andinthatuniversalityopensoutintodifferentfactors，whoserelationitisthepurposeofthelawtoexpress，themomentsoftheprocesstaketheformofbeinguniversalobjectsofthismodeofconsciousness，andthelawruns，“theouterisanexpressionoftheinner“。Understandinghasheregraspedthethoughtofthelawitself，whereasformerlyitmerelylookedforlawsinageneralway，andtheirmomentsappearedbeforeitintheshapeofadefiniteandspecificcontent，andnotintheformofthoughtsoflaws。
Asregardscontent，therefore，suchlawsoughtnottohaveplaceinthisconnexionwhichmerelypassivelyacceptandputintotheformofuniversalitypurelyexistentialdistinctions；butsuchlawsasdirectlymaintaininthesedistinctionstherestlessactivityofthenotionaswell，andconsequentlypossessatthesametimenecessityintherelationofthetwosides。Yet，preciselybecausethatobject，organicunity，directlycombinestheendlesssuperseding，ortheabsolutenegationof，existencewithinactivepassiveexistence，andbecausethemomentsareessentiallypuretransition——therearethusnottobefoundanysuchmerelyexistentaspectsasarerequiredforthelaw。
Togetsuchaspects，intelligencemusttakeitsstandontheothermomentoftheorganicrelation，viz。onthefactthatorganicexistenceisreflectedintoitself。Butthismodeofbeingissocompletelyreflectedintoselfthatithasnospecificcharacter，nodeterminatenessofitsownasagainstsomethingelse，leftover。Theimmediatesensuousbeingisdirectlyonewiththedeterminatequalityassuch，andhenceinherentlyexpressesaqualitativedistinction，e。g。blueagainstred，acidagainstalkaloid，etc。Buttheorganicbeingthathasreturnedintoitselfiscompletelyindifferenttowardsanother；itsexistenceissimpleuniversality，andrefusestoofferobservationanypermanentsensedistinctions，or，whatisthesamething，showsitsessentialcharacteristictobemerelythechangingfluxofwhateverdeterminatequalitiesthereare。Hence，thewaydistinctionquaactuallyexistingexpressesitselfisjustthis，thatitisanindifferentdistinction，i。e。adistinctionintheformofquantity。Inthis，however，thenotionisextinguishedandnecessitydisappears。Ifthecontent，however，andfillingofthisindifferentexistence，thefluxandinterchangeofsensedeterminationsaregatheredintothesimplicityofanorganicdetermination，thenthisexpressesatthesametimethefactthatthecontentdoesnothavethatdeterminateness(thedeterminatenessoftheimmediatepropertyandthequalitativefeaturefallssolelywithintheaspectofquantity，aswesawabove。
Althoughtheobjectiveelement，apprehendedintheformofadeterminatecharacteroforganicexistence，hasthusthenotioninherentinit，andtherebyisdistinguishedfromtheobjectofferedtounderstanding，whichinapprehendingthecontentofitslawsproceedsinapurelyperceptivemanner，yetapprehensionintheformercasefallsbackentirelyintotheprincipleandmannerofmerepercipientunderstanding，forthereasonthattheobjectapprehendedisusedtoconstitutemomentsofalaw。Forbythismeanswhatisapprehendedreceivesandkeepsthecharacterofafixeddeterminatequality，theformofanimmediatepropertyorapassivephenomenon；itis，further，subsumedundertheaspectofquantity，andthenatureofthenotionissuppressed。
Theexchangeofamerelyperceivedobjectforonereflectedintoitself，ofameresensecharacterforanorganic，thuslosesoncemoreitsvalue，anddoessobythefactthatunderstandinghasnotyetcancelledtheprocessofframinglaws。
Ifwecomparewhatwefindasregardsthisexchangeinthecaseofafewexamples，wesee，itmaybe，somethingthatperceptiontakesforananimalwithstrongmusclescharacterizedasananimalorganismofhighirritability“；or，whatperceptiontakestobeaconditionofgreatweakness，characterizedasa“conditionofhighsensibility“，or，ifwepreferit，asanabnormalaffection“，and，moreover，araisingofittoa“higherpower-expressionswhichtranslatesensuousfactsintoTeutonizedLatin，insteadofintotermsofthenotion。Thatananimalhasstrongmusclesmayalsobeexpressedbyunderstandingintheformthattheanimal“possessesagreatmuscularforce“——greatweaknessmeaningsimilarly“aslightforce“。Characterizationintermsofirritabilityhasthisadvantageoverdeterminationbyreferenceto“force“，thatthelatterexpressesindeterminate，theformerdeterminatereflectionintoself；forthepeculiarforcecharacteristicofmusclesisjustirritability；andirritabilityisalsoapreferabledeterminationto“strongmuscles“，inthat，asinthecaseofforce，reflexionintoselfisatonceimpliedit，it。Inthesameway“weakness“，or“slightforce“，organicpassivity，isexpressedinadeterminatemannerbysensibility。Butwhenthissensibilityissotakenbyitselfandfixed，andtheelementofqualityisinadditionboundupwithit，andquagreaterorlesssensibilityisopposedtoagreaterorlessirritability，eachisreducedentirelytothelevelofsense，anddegradedtotheordinaryformofasenseproperty；theirprincipleofrelationisnotthenotion，but，onthecontrary，itisthecategoryofquantityintowhichtheoppositionisnowcast，thusbecomingadistinctionnotconstitutedbythought。Whileinthiswaytheindeterminatenatureoftheexpressions，“force“，“strength“，“weakness“，wouldindeedbegotridof，therenowarisestheequallyfutileandindeterminateprocessofdealingwiththeoppositionsofahigherandlowerdegreeofsensibilityandirritability，astheyincreaseanddecreaserelativelytooneanother。Thegreaterorlesssensibilityorirritabilityisnolessasensuousphenomenon，graspedandexpressedwithoutanyreferencetothought，thanstrengthandweaknessaresensedeterminationsnotconstitutedbythought。Thenotionhasnottakentheplaceofthosenon-conceptualexpressions；instead，strengthandweaknesshavebeengivenafillingbyacharacteristicwhich，takenbyitselfalone，restsonthenotion，andhasthenotionasitscontent，butlosesentirelythisoriginandcharacter。
Owingtotheformofsimplicityandimmediacy，then，inwhichthiscontentismadeanelementofalaw，andthroughtheelementofquantity，whichconstitutestheprincipleofdistinctionforsuchdeterminations，theessentialnature，whichoriginallyisanotionandisputforwardassuch，retainsthecharacterofsenseperception，andremainsasfarremovedfromknowledge(Erkennen)aswhencharacterizedintermsofstrengthorweaknessofforce，orthroughimmediatesenseproperties。
Thereisstilllefttoconsiderwhattheoutersideoftheorganicbeingiswhentakenbyitselfalone，andhowinitscasetheoppositionofitsinnerandouterisdetermined；justasatfirstweconsideredtheinnerofthewholeinrelationtoitsownproperouter。
Theouter，lookedatbyitself，istheembodiedformandshape(Gestaltung)ingeneral，thesystemoflifearticulatingitselfintheelementofexistence，andatthesametimeessentiallytheexistenceoftheorganismasitisforanother——objectiverealityinitsaspectofself-existence。Thisotherappearsinthefirstinstanceasitsouterinorganicnature。Ifthesetwoarelookedatinrelationtoalaw，theinorganicnaturecannot，aswesawbefore，constitutetheaspectofalawbesidetheorganicbeing，becausethelatterexistsabsolutelyforitself，andassumesauniversalandfreerelationtoinorganicnature。
Todefinemoreexactly，however，therelationofthesetwoaspectsinthecaseoftheorganicform，thisform，inwhichtheorganismisembodied，isinoneaspectturnedagainstinorganicnature，whileinanotheritisforitselfandreflectedintoitself。Therealorganicbeingisthemediatingagency，whichbringstogetherandunitestheself-existenceoflife[itsbeingforitself]，withtheouteringeneral，withwhatsimplyandinherentlyis。
Theoneextreme，self-existence，is，however，theinnerinthesenseofaninfinite“one“，whichtakesthemomentsoftheembodiedshapeitselfoutoftheirsubsistenceandconnexionwithouternatureandwithdrawsthesemomentsbackintoitself；itisthatwhich，havingnocontent，lookstotheembodiedformoftheorganismtoprovideitscontent，andappearsthereastheprocessofthatform。Inthisextremewhereitismerenegativity，orpureindividualexistence，theorganismpossessesitsabsolutefreedom，wherebyitismadequitesecureandindifferenttowardsthefactofitsbeingrelativetoanotherandtowardsthespecificcharacterbelongingtothemomentsoftheformoftheorganism。Thisfreedetachmentisatthesametimeafreedomofthemomentsthemselves；itisthepossibilityoftheirappearingandofbeingapprehendedasexistent。Andjustastheyarethereindetachedandindifferentinregardtowhatisouter，sotooaretheytowardsoneanother；forthesimplicityofthisfreedomisbeingoristheirsimplesubstance。Thisnotionorpurefreedomisoneandthesamelife，nomatterhowvariedanddiversethewaysinwhichtheshapeassumedbytheorganism，its“being，foranother“，maydisportitself；itisamatterofindifferencetothisstreamoflifewhatsortofmillsitdrives。
Inthefirstplace，wemustnownotethatthisnotionisnottobetakenhere，asitwasformerlywhenwewereconsideringtheinnerproper，initscharacterastheprocessordevelopmentofitsmoments；wemusttakeitinitsformassimple“inner“，whichconstitutesthepurelyuniversalaspectasagainsttheconcretelivingreality；itistheelementinwhichtheexistingmembersoftheorganicshapefindtheirsubsistence。Foritisthisshapeweareconsideringhere，andinittheessentialnatureoflifeappearsasthesimplefactofsubsistence。Inthenextplace，theexistenceforanother，thespecificcharacteroftherealembodiedform，istakenupintothissimpleuniversality，inwhichitsnaturelies，aspecificitythatislikewiseofasimpleuniversalnon-sensuouskind，andcanonlybethatwhichfindsexpressioninnumber。Numberisthemiddletermoftheorganicform，whichlinksindeterminatelifewithactualconcretelife，simpleliketheformeranddeterminatelikethelatter。
Thatwhichinthecaseoftheformer，theinner，wouldhavethesenseofnumber，theouterwouldrequiretoexpressafteritsmannerasmultiformreality——kindsoflife，colour，andsoon，ingeneralasthewholehostofdifferenceswhicharedevelopedasphenomenaoflife。
Ifthetwoaspectsoftheorganicwhole-theonebeingtheinner，whiletheotheristheouter，insuchawaythateachagainhasinitaninnerandanouter——arecomparedwithreferencetotheinnerbothsideshave，wefindthattheinnerofthefirstisthenotion，inthesenseoftherestlessactivityofabstraction；thesecondhasforitsinner，however，inactiveuniversality，whichinvolvesalsotheconstantcharacteristic-number。Hence，if，becausethenotiondevelopsitsmomentsintheformer，thisaspectmadeadelusivepromiseoflawsowingtothesemblanceofnecessityintherelation，thelatterdirectlydisclaimsdoingso，sincenumbershowsitselftobethe。determiningfeatureofoneaspectofitslaws。Fornumberisjustthatentirelyinactive，inert，andindifferentcharacteristicinwhicheverymovementandrelationalprocessisextinguished，andwhichhasbrokenthebridgeleadingtothelivingexpressionofimpulses，manneroflife，andwhateverothersensuousexistencethereis。
Thiswayofconsideringtheembodiedorganicshapeassuchandtheinnerquainnermerelyofthatembodiedform，is，however，inpointoffact，nolongeraconsiderationoforganicexistence。
Forboththeaspects，whichweretoberelated，aremerelytakentherebyreflectionintoindifferenttooneanother，andself，theessentialnatureoforganism，isdoneawaywith。Whatwehavedonehereisrathertotransferthatattemptedcomparisonofinnerandoutertothesphereofinorganicnature。Thenotionwithitsinfinityisheremerelytheinneressence，whichlieshiddenawaywithinorfallsoutsideinself-consciousness，andnolonger，asinthecaseoftheorganism，hasitspresenceinanobject。Thisrelationofinnerandouterhasthusstilltobeconsideredinitsownpropersphere。
Inthefirstplace，thatinnerelementoftheform，beingthesimpleindividualexistenceofaninorganicthing，isthespecificgravity。Asasimplyexistingfact，thiscanbeobservedjustasmuchasthecharacteristicofnumber，whichistheonlyoneofwhichitiscapable；orproperlyspeakingcanbefoundbycomparingobservations；anditseemsinthiswaytofurnishoneaspectofthelaw。
Theembodiedform，colour，hardness，toughness，andaninnumerablehostofotherproperties，wouldtogetherconstitutetheouteraspect，andwouldhavetogiveexpressiontothecharacteristicoftheinner，number，sothattheoneshouldfinditscounterpartintheother。
Nowbecausenegativityisheretakennotinthesenseofamovementoftheprocess，butasaninoperativeunity，orassimpleself-existence，itappearsreallyasthatbywhichthethingresiststheprocess，andmaintainsitselfwithinitself，andinaconditionofindifferencetowardsit。Bythefact，however，thatthissimpleself-existenceisaninactiveindifferencetowardsanother，specificgravityappearsasonepropertyalongsideothers；andtherewithallnecessaryrelationonitsparttothisplurality，or，inotherwords，allconformitytolaw，ceases。
Thespecificgravityinthesenseofthissimpleinneraspectdoesnotcontaindifferenceinitself，orthedifferenceithasismerelynon-essential；foritsbaresimplicityjustcancelseverydistinctionofanessentialkind。Thisnon-essentialdifference，quantity，wasthusboundtofinditsotherorcounterpartintheotheraspect，thepluralityofproperties，sinceitisonlybydoingsothatitisdifferenceatall。Ifthispluralityitselfisheldtogetherwithinthesimpleformofopposition，andisdetermined，say，ascohesion，sothatthiscohesionisself-existenceinotherness，asspecificgravityispureself-existence，thencohesionhereisinthefirstplacethispureconceptuallyconstitutedcharacteristicasagainstthepreviouscharacteristic。Themodeofframingthelawwouldthusbewhatwediscussedabove，indealingwiththerelationofsensibilitytoirritability。Inthenextplace，cohesion，quaconceptionofselfexistenceinotherness，ismerelytheabstractionoftheaspectopposedtospecificgravity，andassuchhasnoexistentialreality。Forself-existenceinothernessistheprocesswhereintheinorganicwouldhavetoexpressitsself-existenceasaformofself-conservation，whichontheotherhandwouldpreventitemergingfromtheprocessasaconstituentmomentofaproduct。Butthisgoesdirectlyagainstitsnature，whichhasnopurposeoruniversalityinit。Rather，itsprocessissimplythedeterminatecourseofactionbywhichitsself-existence，inthesenseofitsspecificgravity，cancelsitself。Thisdeterminateaction，whichinthatcasewouldconstitutethetrueprincipleimpliedinitscohesion，isitselfhoweverentirelyindifferenttotheothernotion，thatofthedeterminatequantityofitsspecificgravity。Ifthemodeofactionwereleftentirelyoutofaccount，andattentionconfinedtotheideaofquantity，wemightbeabletothinkofafeaturelikethis:thegreaterspecificweight，asitisahigherintensivenessofbeing(Insichseyn)，wouldresistenteringintotheprocessmorethanalessspecificweight。Butonthecontrary，freedomofself-existence(Fürsichseyn)showsitselfonlyinfacilitytoestablishconnexionwitheverything，andmaintainitselfthroughoutthismanifoldvariety。Thatintensitywithoutextensionofrelationsisanabstractionwithnosubstanceinit，forextensionconstitutestheexistenceofintensity。Theself-conservationoftheinorganicelementinitsrelationlieshowever，asalreadymentioned，outsideitsnature，sinceitdoesnotcontaintheprincipleofmovementwithinitorbecauseitsbeingisnotabsolutenegativityandnotanotion。
Whenthisotheraspectoftheinorganic，ontheotherhand，isconsiderednotasaprocess，butasaninactivebeing，itisordinarycohesion。Itisasimplesensepropertystandingononesideoveragainstthefreeanddetachedmomentofotherness，whichliesdispersedintoapluralityofpropertiesindifferenttoandapartfromoneanother，andwhichitselfcomesunderthis(cohesion)
asdoesspecificgravity。Themultiplicityofpropertiestogether，then，constitutestheothersidetocohesion。Initscase，however，asinthecaseofthemultiplicity，numberistheonlycharacteristicfeature。whichnotmerelydoesnotbringoutarelationandatransitionfromonetoanotheroftheseproperties，butconsistsessentiallyinhavingnonecessaryrelation；itsnatureisrathertomakemanifesttheabsenceofallconformitytolaw，foritexpressesthedeterminatecharacterasonethatisnon-essential。Thusweseethataseriesofbodies，whosedifferenceisexpressedasanumericaldifferenceoftheirspecificweights，bynomeansrunsparalleltoaserieswherethedifferenceisconstitutedbytheotherproperties，evenif，forpurposesofsimplification，weselectmerelyoneorsomeofthem。For，asamatteroffact，itcouldonlybethetoutensembleofthepropertieswhichwouldhavetoconstitutetheotherparallelaspecthere。Tobringthisintoorderlyshapeandtomakeitaconnectedsinglewhole，observationfindsathandthequantitativedeterminationsofthesevariousproperties；ontheotherhand，however，theirdifferencescometolightasqualitative。Now，inthiscollection，whatwouldhavetobecharacterizedaspositiveornegative，andwouldbecancelledeachbytheother——ingeneral，theinternalarrangementandexpositionoftheequation，whichwouldbeverycomposite，——wouldbelongtothenotion。Thenotionhoweverisexcludedfromoperatingjustbythewayinwhichthepropertiesarefoundlying，andaretobepickedupasmereexistententities。Inthisconditionofmerebeing，noneisnegativeinitsrelationtoanother:theoneexistsjustasmuchastheother，nordoesitinanyotherfashionindicateitspositioninthearrangementofthewhole。
Inthecaseofaserieswithconcurrentdifferences——whethertherelationismeanttobethatofsimultaneousincreaseonbothsidesorofincreaseintheoneanddecreaseintheother——interestcentresmerelyinthelastsimpleexpressionofthiscombinedwhole，whichwouldconstitutetheoneaspectofthelawwithspecificgravityfortheopposite。Butthisoneaspect，quaresultantfact，isnothingelsethanwhathasbeenalreadymentioned，viz。anindividualproperty，say，likeordinarycohesion，alongsideandindifferenttowhichtheothers，specificgravityamongthem，arefoundlying，andeveryothercanbeselectedequallyrightly，i。e。equallywrongly，tostandasrepresentativeoftheentireotheraspect；oneaswellastheotherwouldmerely“represent“orstandfor[Germanvorstellen]theessentialreality(Wesen)，butwouldnotactuallybethefact(Sache)itself。Thusitseemsthattheattempttofindseriesofbodieswhichshouldintheirtwoaspectsruncontinuouslyandsimplyparallel，andexpresstheessentialnatureofthebodiesinalawholdingoftheseaspects，mustbelookedatasanaimthatisignorantalikeofwhatitisaboutandofthemeansforcarryingitthrough。
Heretoforetherelationbetweentheinnerandouterphasesintheorganicformsetbeforeobservationwasforthwithtransferredtothesphereoftheinorganic。Thedeterminateconditiontowhichthisisduecannowbestatedmoreprecisely；andtherearisesthenceafurtherformandrelationofthissituation。Whatseemstopresentthepossibilityofsuchacomparisonofinnerandouterinthecaseoftheinorganic，dropsawayaltogetherwhenwecometotheorganic。Theinorganicinnerisasimpleinner，whichcomesbeforeperceptionasamerelyexistentproperty。Itscharacteristicdeterminationisthereforeessentiallyquantity，anditappearsasanexistentpropertyindifferenttowardstheouter，orthepluralityofothersenseproperties。Theself-existenceofthelivingorganism，however，doesnotsostandononesideopposedtoitsouter；ithastheprincipleofothernessinitself。Ifwecharacterizeself-existenceasasimpleself-preservingrelationtoself，itsothernessissimplenegativity；andorganicunityistheunityofself-identicalself-relationandpurenegativity。Thisunityisquaunitytheinwardnessoftheorganic；theorganicistherebyinherentlyuniversal，itisagenus。Thefreedomofthegenuswithreferencetoitsrealizationis，however，somethingdifferentfromthefreedomofspecificgravitywithreferencetoembodiedform。Thatofthelatterisfreedominthesphereofexistence(seyendeFreiheit)，inthesensethatittakesitsstandononesideasaparticularproperty。Butbecauseitisanexistentfreedom，itisalsoonlyadeterminatecharacterwhichbelongsessentiallytothisembodiedform，orbywhichthisformquaessenceissomethingdeterminate。Thefreedom，however，ofthegenusisauniversalfreedom，andindifferenttothisembodiedform，ortowardsitsrealization。Thedeterminatenesswhichattachestoself-existenceassuchoftheinorganic，fallsthereforeinthecaseoftheorganicunderitsself-existence，whileinthecaseoftheinorganicitappliesmerelytotheexistenceofthelatter。
Hence，althoughinthecaseofthelatterthatdeterminatecharacteristicappearsatthesametimeonlyasaproperty，yetitpossessesthevalueofbeingessential，becausequapurenegativeitstandsoveragainstconcreteexistencewhichisbeingforanother；andthissimplenegativeinitsfinalandparticulardeterminatenessisanumber。Theorganic，however，isaformofsingleness，whichisitselfpurenegativity，andhenceabolisheswithinitthefixeddeterminatenessofnumber，whichisapplicabletotheindifferenceofmerebeing。Sofarasithasinitthemomentofindifferentbeingandtherebyofnumber，thisnumericalaspectcanthereforeonlyberegardedasanincidentwithinit，butnotastheessentialnatureofitslivingactivity。
Butnow，thoughpurenegativity，theprincipleoftheprocess，doesnotfalloutsidetheorganic，andthoughtheorganicdoesnotinitsessencepossessnegativityasanadjectivalcharacteristic，thesinglenessoftheindividualorganismbeinginsteadinherentlyuniversal，yetthispuresinglenessisnotthereindevelopedandrealizedinitsvariousmomentsasifthesewerethemselvesabstractoruniversal。Onthecontrary，thisdevelopedexpressionmakesitsappearanceoutsidethatuniversality，whichthusfallsbackintomereinwardness；andbetweentheconcreterealization，theembodiedform，i。e。theself-developingindividualsinglenessoftheorganism，andtheorganicuniversal，thegenus，appearsthedeterminateorspecificuniversal，thespecies。Theexistentialform，towhichthenegativityoftheuniversal，thenegativityofthegenus，attains，ismerelytheexplicitlydevelopedmovementofaprocess，carriedoutamongthepartsofthegivenshapeassumedbytheorganism。Ifthegenushadthedifferentpartswithinitselfasanunbrokensimpleunity，sothatitssimplenegativityassuchwereatthesametimeamovement，carriedonthroughpartsequallysimpleanddirectlyuniversalinthemselves，whichwerehereactualassuchmoments，thentheorganicgenuswouldbeconsciousness。But，asitis，thesimpledeterminatecharacter，quadeterminatenessofthespecies，ispresentinanunconsciousmannerinthegenus；concreterealizationstartsfromthegenus；inotherwordswhatfindsexpressrealizationisnotthegenusassuch，i。e。notreallythought。Thisgenus，quaactualorganicfact，ismerelyrepresentedbyadeputy。Number，whichistherepresentativehere，seemstodesignatethetransitionfromthegenusintotheindividualembodiment，andtosetbeforeobservationthetwoaspectsofthenecessaryconstitution，nowintheformofasimplecharacteristic，andagainintheformofanorganicshapewithallitsmanifoldvarietyfullydeveloped。Thisrepresentative，however，reallydenotestheindifferenceandfreedomoftheuniversalandtheindividualasregardsoneanother；thegenusputstheindividualatthemercyofmerequantitativedifference，anon-essentialelement，buttheindividualqualivingshowsitselfequallyindependentofthisdifference。Trueuniversality，inthewayspecified，isheremerelyinnernature；quacharacteristicdeterminingthespeciesitisformaluniversality；andincontrasttothelatter，thattrueuniversalitytakesitsstandonthesideoforganicindividualsingleness，whichistherebyalivingindividualentity，andowingtoitsinnernatureisnotconcernedwithitsdeterminatecharacterquaspecies。Butthissinglenessisnotatthesametimeauniversalindividual，i。e。oneinwhichuniversalitywouldhaveexternalrealizationaswell；i。e。theuniversalindividualfallsoutsidethelivingorganicwhole。Thisuniversalindividual，however，inthewayitisimmediatelytheindividualofthenaturalembodimentsoforganiclife，isnotconsciousnessitself:itsexistencequasingleorganiclivingindividualcouldnotfalloutsidethatuniversalifitweretobeconsciousness。
Wehave，then，hereaconnectedsystem，whereoneextremeistheuniversallifequauniversalorgenus，theotherbeingthatsamelifequaasinglewhole，oruniversalindividual:themediatingterm，however，isacombinationofboth，thefirstseemingtofititselfintoitasdeterminateuniversalityorasspecies，theotherassinglewholeproperorsingleindividuality。Andsincethisconnectedsystembelongsaltogethertotheaspectoftheorganicembodiment，itcomprehendswithinittoowhatisdistinguishedasinorganicnature。
Since，now，theuniversallifequathesimpleessenceofthegenusdevelopsfromitssidethedistinctionsofthenotion，andhastoexhibitthemintheformofaseriesofsimpledeterminingcharacteristics，thisseriesisasystemofdistinctionssetupindifferently，orisanumericalseries。
Whereasformerlytheorganicintheformofsomethingindividualandsinglewasplacedinoppositiontothisnon-essentialdistinction[ofquantity]，adistinctionwhichneitherexpressesnorcontainsitslivingnature:andwhilepreciselythesamehastobestatedasregardstheinorganic，takingintoaccountitsentireexistencedevelopedinthepluralityofitsproperties:itisnowtheuniversalindividualwhichisnotmerelytobelookedonasfreefromeveryarticulationofthegenus，butalsoasthepowercontrollingthegenus。Thegenusdispersesintospeciesintermsoftheuniversalcharacteristicofnumber，oragainitmayadoptasitsprincipleofdivisionparticularcharacteristicsofitsexistencelikefigure，colour，etc。Whilequietlyprosecutingthisaim，thegenusmeetswithviolenceatthehandsoftheuniversalindividual，theearth，(5)whichintheroleofuniversalnegativityestablishesthedistinctionsastheyexistwithinitself，——thenatureofwhich，owingtothesubstancetheybelongto，isdifferentfromthenatureofthoseofthegenus，——andmakesgoodthesedistinctionsasagainsttheprocessofgenericsystematization。Thisactiononthepartofthegenuscomestobequitearestrictedbusiness，whichitcanonlycarryoninsidethosemightyelements，andwhichisleftwithgapsandarrestedandinterruptedatallpointsthroughtheirunbridledviolence。
Itfollowsfromallthisthatintheembodied，organicexistenceobservationcanonlymeetwithreasoninthesenseoflifeingeneral，which，however，initsdifferentiatingprocessinvolvesreallynorationalsequenceandorganization，andisnotanimmanentlygroundedsystemofshapesandforms。Ifinthelogicalprocessofthemomentsinvolvedinorganicembodimentthemediatingterm，whichcontainsthespeciesanditsrealizationintheformofasingleindividuality，hadwithinitthetwoextremesofinneruniversalityanduniversalindividuality，thenthismiddletermwouldhave，inthemovementofitsreality，theexpressionandthenatureofuniversality，andwouldbeself-systematizingdevelopment。Itisthusthatconsciousnesstakesasthemiddletermbetweenuniversalspiritanditsindividuationorsense-consciousness，thesystemofshapesassumedbyconsciousness，asanorderlyself-constitutedwholeofthelifeofspirit，thesystemofformsofconsciouslifewhichisdealtwithinthistreatise，andwhichfindsitsobjectiveexistentialexpressionasthehistoryoftheworld。Butorganicnaturehasnohistory；itdropsfromitsuniversal，——life，——immediatelyintotheindividuationofexistence；andthemomentsofsimpledeterminatenessandindividuallivingactivitywhichareunitedinthisrealization，bringabouttheprocessofchangemerelyasacontingentmovement，whereineachplaysitsownpartandthewholeispreserved。Buttheenergythusexertedisrestricted，sofarasitselfisconcerned，merelytoitsownfixedcentre，becausethewholeisnotpresentinit；andthewholeisnottherebecausethewholeisnotassuchhereforitself。
Besidesthefact，then，thatreasoninobservingorganicnatureonlycomestoseeitselfasuniversallifeingeneral，itcomestoseethedevelopmentandrealizationofthislifemerelybywayofsystemsdistinguishedquitegenerally，inthedeterminationofwhichtheessentialrealityliesnotintheorganicassuch，butintheuniversalindividual[theearth]；andamongthesedistinctionsofearth[itcomestoseethatdevelopmentandrealization]intheformofsequenceswhichthegenusattemptstoestablish。
Since，then，initsrealization，theuniversalityfoundinorganiclifeletsitselfdropdirectlyintotheextremeofindividuation，withoutanytrueself-referringprocessofmediation，thethingbeforetheobservingmindismerelyawould-be“meaning“；andifreasoncantakeanidleinteresttoobservewhatisthus“meant“here，itisconfinedtodescribingandrecordingnature\'smeanings“andincidentalsuggestions。Thisirrationalfreedomof“fancying“doubtlesswillprofferonallsidesbeginningsoflaws，tracesofnecessity，allusionstoorderandsequence，ingeniousandspeciousrelationsofallkinds。Butinrelatingtheorganictothedifferentfactsoftheinorganic，elements，zones，climates，sofarasregardslawandnecessaryconnexion，observationnevergetsfurtherthantheideaofa“greatinfluence“。So，too，ontheotherside，whereindividualityhasnotthesignificanceoftheearth，butoftheonenessimmanentinorganiclife，andwherethis，inimmediateunitywiththeuniversal，nodoubtconstitutesthegenus，whosesimpleunityhowever，isjustforthatreasondeterminedmerelyasanumberandhenceletsgothequalitativeappearance；——hereobservationcannotgetfurtherthantomakecleverremarks，bringingoutinterestingpointsinconnexion，afriendlycondescensiontothenotion。Butcleverremarksdonotamounttoaknowledgeofnecessity；interestingpointsofconnexionstopshortatbeingsimplyofinterest，whiletheinterestisstillnothingbutfanciful“opinion“abouttherational；andthefriendlinessoftheindividualinmakingallusiontoanotionisachildlikefriendliness，whichischildishif，asitstands，itistobeorwantstobeworthanything。
1。DirectedagainKantandFichte。
2。Atermemployedbyachemist，Winterl，atthebeginningofthenineteenthcenturytodenotecombinationsintermediateincharacterbetweenphysicalmixturesandchemicalcombinastions。Insynsomatesthebodiesundergointheproduct，e。g。achangeofcolour，specificdensity，andevenweight；thesechangesdonottakeplaceinmerephysicalmixtures，andyettheydonotconstitutechemicalcombination。Examplesofsynsomatesaretheblendingofwaterandalcohol，andamalgransofminerals。
3。Heat，e。g。isa“modeofmotion“，aformof“energy“。
4。Cp。Withtheabove，theoscillationbetweenthemechanicalandteleologicalconceptionof“law“
intheoreticalbiology。
5。Cp。Logik，W。W。，V。p。153:“Theearthasaconcretewholeisatonceauniversalnatureorgenusaswellasanindividual。”Cp。AlsoNaturphilosophie，§§337，338。
bObservationSelfConsciousnessinitsPureFormandinitsRelationtoExternalReality—
LogicalandPsychologicalLawsObservationofnaturefindsthenotionrealizedininorganicnature，laws，whosemomentsarethingswhichatthesametimeareinthepositionofabstractions。Butthisnotionisnotasimplicityreflectedintoself。Thelifeoforganicnature，ontheotherhand，isonlythisself-reflectedsimplicity。
Theoppositionwithinitself，inthesenseoftheoppositionofuniversalandindividual，doesnotmakeitsappearanceintheessentialnatureofthislifeitselfwithonefactorapartfromtheother。Itsessentialnatureisnotthegenus，self-sunderedandself-movedinitsundifferentiatedelement，andremainingatthesametimeforitselfundifferentiatedinitsopposition。Observationfindsthisfreenotion，whoseuniversalityhasjustasabsolutelywithinitdevelopedindividuality，onlyinthenotionwhichitselfexistsasnotion，i。e。inself-consciousness。
1。LawsofThoughtWhenobservationnowturnsinuponitselfanddirectsitselfonthenotionwhichisrealquafreenotion，itfinds，tobeginwith，theLawsofThought。Thiskindofindividuality，whichthoughtisinitself，istheabstractmovementofthenegative，amovemententirelyintrovertedintosimplicity；andthelawsareoutsidereality。
Tosay“theyhavenoreality“meansingeneralnothingelsethanthattheyarewithoutanytruth。
Andinfacttheydonotclaimtobeentiretruth，butstillformaltruth。Butwhatispurelyformalwithoutrealityisanensintellectus，oremptyabstractionwithouttheinternaldiremptionwhichwouldbenothingelsebutthecontent。
Ontheotherhand，however，sincetheyarelawsofpurethought，whilethelatteristheinherentlyuniversal，andthusakindofknowledge，whichimmediatelycontainsbeingandthereinallreality，theselawsareabsolutenotions，andaxeinoneandthesamesensetheessentialprinciplesofformaswellasofthings。Sinceself-directing，self-movinguniversalityisthesimplenotioninastateofdiremption，thisnotionhasinthismanneracontentinitself，andonewhichisallcontentexceptsensuous，notabeingofsense。Itisacontent，whichisneitherincontradictionwiththeformnoratallseparatedfromit；ratheritisessentiallytheformitself；forthelatterisnothingbuttheuniversaldividingitselfintoitspuremoments。
Inthewayinwhichthisformorcontent，however，comesbeforeobservationquaobservation，itgetsthecharacterofacontentthatisfound，given，i。e。onewhichmerelyis。Itbecomesapassivelyexistingbasisofrelations，amultitudeofdetachednecessities，whichasadefinitelyfixedcontentaretohavetruthjustastheystandwiththeirspecificcharacteristic，andthus，inpointoffact，arewithdrawnfromtheform。
Thisabsolutetruthoffixedcharacteristics，orofapluralityofdifferentlaws，contradicts，however，theunityofself-consciousness，contradictstheunityofthoughtandformingeneral。Whatisdeclaredtobeafixedandinherentlyconstantlawcanbemerelyamomentoftheself-referring，self-reflectingunity，cancomeonthescenemerelyasavanishingelement。Whenextricated，however，bytheprocessofconsideringthem，fromthemovementimposingthiscontinuousconnexion，andwhensetoutindividuallyandseparately，itisnotcontentthattheylack，fortheyhaveaspecificcontent；theylackratherform，whichistheiressentialnature。Inpointoffactitisnotforthereasonthattheyaretobemerelyformalandarenottohaveanycontent，thattheselawsarenotthetruthofthought；itisratherfortheoppositereason。Itisbecauseintheirspecificity，i。e。justasacontentwiththeformremoved，theywanttopassforsomethingabsolute。
Intheirtruenature，asvanishingmomentsintheunityofthought，theywouldhavetobetakenasknowledgeorasthinkingprocess，butnotaslawsofknowledge。Observing，however，neitherisnorknowsthatknowledgeitself；observationconvertsitsnatureintotheshapeofanobjectivebeing，i。e。apprehendsitsnegativecharactermerelyaslawsofbeing。
Itissufficientforourpurposeheretohaveindicatedtheinvalidityoftheso-calledlawsofthoughtfromtheconsiderationofthegeneralnatureofthecase。Itfallstospeculativephilosophytogomoreintimatelyandfullyintothematter，andtheretheyshowthemselvestobewhatintruththeyare，singlevanishingmoments，whosetruthissimplythewholeofthethinkprocess，knowledgeitself。
Thisnegativeunityofthoughtexistsforitsownsake，orratheritisjustbeingforitselfandonitsownaccount，theprincipleofindividuality；anditsrealityconsistsinexercisingafunction，itisanactiveconsciousness。Consequentlythementalattitudeofobservationwillbythenatureofthecasebeledontowardsthisasbeingtherealityofthoselawsofthought。Sincethisconnexionisnotafactforobservation，thelattersupposesthatthoughtwithitslawsremainsstandingseparatelyononeside，andthat，ontheotherside，itobtainsanotherobjectivebeinginwhatisnowtheobjectobserved，viz。thatactingconsciousness，whichexistsforitselfinsuchawayastocancelothernessandfinditsrealityinthisdirectawarenessofitselfasthenegative。
2。PsychologicalLawsIntheactivepracticalrealityofconsciousness，observationthusfindsopenedupbeforeitanewfield。Psychologycontainsthecollectionoflawsinvirtueofwhichthemindtakesupdifferentattitudestowardsthedifferentformsofitsrealitygivenandpresentedtoitinaconditionofotherness。Themindadoptsthesevariousattitudespartlywithaviewtoreceivingthesemodesofitsrealityintoitself，andconformingtothehabits，customs，andwaysofthinkingitthuscomesacross，asbeingthatwhereinmindisrealityandassuchobjecttoitself；partlywithaviewtoknowingitsownspontaneousactivityinoppositiontothem，tofollowthebentofitsowninclinations，affections，andemotions，andcarryoffthencewhatismerelyofparticularandspecialmomentforitself，andthusmakewhatisobjectiveconformtoitself。Intheformeritbehavesnegativelytowardsitselfassingleandindividualmind，inthelatternegativelytowardsitselfastheuniversalbeing。
Intheformeraspectindependence[orself-dependence]giveswhatismetwithmerelytheformofconsciousindividualityingeneral，andasregardsthecontentremainswithinthegeneralrealitygiven；inthesecondaspect，however，itgivestherealityatleastacertainspecialmodification，whichdoesnotcontradictitsessentialcontent，orevenamodificationbywhichtheindividualquaparticularrealityandpeculiarcontentsetsitselfagainstthegeneralreality。Thisoppositionbecomesaformofwrongdoingwhentheindividualcancelsthatrealityinamerelyparticularmanner，orwhenitdoessoinamannerthatisgeneralandthusforall，whenitputsanotherworld，anotherright，law，andcustominplaceofthosealreadythere。
Observationalpsychology，whichinthefirstinstancestateswhatobservationfindsregardingthegeneralformsbroughttoitsnoticeintheactiveconsciousness，discoversallsortsoffaculties，inclinations，andpassions；andsince，whilenarratingwhatthiscollectioncontains，theremembranceoftheunityofself-consciousnessisnottobesuppressed，observationalpsychologyisboundtogetthelengthatleastofwondermentthatsuchalotandsuchamiscellanyofthingscanhappentobesomehowalongsideoneanotherinthemindasinakindofbag，moreespeciallywhentheyareseentobenotlifelessinertthings，butrestlessactiveprocesses。
3。TheLawofIndiviualityIntellingoverthesevariousfacultiesobservationkeepstotheuniversalaspect:theunityofthesemultifariouscapacitiesistheoppositeaspecttothisuniversality，istheactualconcreteindividuality。
Totakeupagainthusthedifferentconcreteindividualities，andtodescribehowonemanhasmoreinclinationforthistheotherforthat，howonehasmoreintelligencethantheother—allthisis，however，somethingmuchmoreuninterestingthaneventoreckonupthespeciesofinsects，mosses，andsoon。Fortheselattergiveobservationtherighttotakethemthusindividuallyanddisconnectedly(begrifflos)，becausetheybelongessentiallytothesphereoffortuitousdetailedparticulars。Totakeconsciousindividualityontheotherhand，asaparticularphenomenalentity，andtreatitinsowoodenafashion，isself-contradictory，becausetheessentialnatureofindividualityliesintheuniversalelementofmind。Since，however，theprocessofapprehendingitcausesitatthesametimetopassintotheformofuniversality，toapprehenditistofinditslaw，andseemsinthiswaytohavearationalpurposeinview，andanecessaryfunctiontofulfil。
Themomentsconstitutingthecontentofthelawareontheonehandindividualityitself，ontheotheritsuniversalinorganicnature，viz。thegivencircumstances，situation，habits，customs，religion，andsoforth；fromthesethedeterminateindividualityistobeunderstoodandcomprehended。
Theycontainsomethingspecific，determinate，aswellasuniversal，andareatthesametimesomethinglyingathand，whichfurnishesmaterialforobservationandontheothersideexpressesitselfintheformofindividuality。
Thelawofthisrelationofthetwosideshasnowtocontainandexpressthesortofeffectandinfluencethesedeterminatecircumstancesexertonindividuality。Thisindividuality，howeverjustconsistsbothinbeingtheuniversal，andhenceinpassivelyanddirectlyassimilatingandblendingwiththegivenuniversals，thecustoms，habits，etc。，thusbecomingconformedtothem，asalsointakingupanattitudeofoppositiontowardsthemandthustransformingandtransmutingthem；andagaininbehavingtowardstheminitsindividualcharacterwithcompleteindifference，neitherallowingthemtoexertaninfluenceoverit，norsettingitselfactivelyagainstthem。Onthataccountwhatistohaveaninfluenceonindividuality，andwhatsortofinfluenceitistohave—which，properlyspeaking，meanthesamethin-dependentirelyonindividualityitself:tosaythatbysuchandsuchaninfluencethisindividualityhasbecomethisspecificallydeterminateindividualitymeansnothingelsethansayingithasbeenthisallalong。Circumstances，situation，customs，andsoon，whichshowthemselvesononesideassomethinggiven，andontheotheraswithinthisspecificindividuality，revealmerelyindeterminatenatureofindividuality，whichisnotthepointunderconsideration。Ifthesecircumstances，styleofthought，customs，thewholestateoftheworld，inshort，hadnotbeen，thenassuredlytheindividualwouldnothavebeenwhatheis；foralltheelementsthatfindaplaceinthis“stateoftheworld“constitutethisuniversalsubstance。
Bytheway，however，inwhichthestateoftheworldhasaffectedinparticularanygivenindividual—anditissuchanindividualthathastobecomprehended—itmustitselfhaveassumedaparticularshapeonitsownaccount，andhaveoperatedupontheindividualinthespecificcharacterwhichitassumed。Onlysocouldithavemadetheindividualthespecificparticularindividualheis。Iftheexternalelementissoconstitutedinandforitselfasitappearsinindividuality，thelatterwouldbecomprehendedfromthenatureoftheformer。Weshouldhaveadoublegalleryofpictures，oneofwhichwouldbethereflexionoftheother:theonethegalleryofexternalcircumstancecompletelyencompassing，circumscribing，anddeterminingtheindividual，theotherthesamegallerytranslatedintotheforminwhichthosecircumstancesareintheconsciousindividual:theformerthesphericalsurface，thelatterthecentrereflectivelyrepresentingthatsurfacewithinit。
Butthesphericalsurface，theworldfortheindividual，carriesonthefaceofitthisdoublemeaning:
itisinandforitselftheactualworldandsituation，anditistheworldoftheindividual。Itistheworldoftheindividualeitherinsofarasthisindividualwasmerelyfusedandblendedwithit，hadletthatworld，justasitis，passintoitsownnature，andhadtakenuptowardsitmerelytheattitudeofaformalconsciousness；or，ontheotherhand，itistheworldoftheindividualinthesenseinwhichthegivenhasbeentransformedandtransmutedbythatindividual。
Sincerealityiscapableofhavingthistwofoldmeaningonaccountofthisfreedomoftheindividual，theworldoftheindividualisonlytobeunderstoodfromtheindividualhimself；andtheinfluenceofrealityupontheindividual，arealitywhichisrepresentedashavingabeingallitsown(anundfürsich)，receivesthroughthisindividualabsolutelytheoppositesignificance—theindividualeitherletsthestreamofrealityflowinginuponithaveitsway，orbreaksoffanddivertsthecurrentofitsinfluence。Inconsequenceofthis，however，“psychologicalnecessity“becomesanemptyphrase，soemptythatthereistheabsolutepossibilitythatwhatissaidtohavethisinfluencecouldequallywellnothavehadit。
Herewithdropsoutofaccountthatexistencewhichwastobesomethingallbyitself，andwasmeanttoconstituteoneaspect，andthattheuniversalaspect，ofalaw。Individualityiswhatitsworld，inthesenseofitsownworld，is。Individualityitselfisthecycleofitsownaction，inwhichithaspresentedandestablisheditselfasreality，andissimplyandsolelyaunityofwhatisgivenandwhatisconstructed—aunityaspectsdonotfallapart，asintheideaofpsychologicallaw，intoaworldgivenperseandanindividualityexistingforitself。Orifthoseaspectsarethusconsideredeachbyitself，thereisnonecessitytobefoundbetweenthem，andnolawoftheirrelationtooneanother。
cObservationoftheRelationofSelf-ConsciousnesstoitsImmediateActuality—
Physiognomy&Phrenology。(1)
PSYCHOLOGICALobservationdiscoversnolawfortherelationofself-consciousnesstoactualityortheworldoveragainstit；andowingtotheirmutualindifferenceitisforcedtofallbackonthepeculiardeterminatecharacteristicofrealindividuality，whichhasabeinginandforitselforcontainstheoppositionofsubjectiveself-existence(Fürsichseyn)andobjectiveinherentexistence(Ansichseyn)dissolvedandextinguishedwithinitsownprocessofabsolutemediation。
Individualityisnowtheobjectforobservation，ortheobjecttowhichobservationnowpasses。
Theindividualexistsinhimselfandforhimself。Heisforhimself，orisafreeactivity；heis，however，alsoinhimself，orhashimselfanoriginaldeterminatebeingofhisown—acharacterwhichisinprinciplethesameaswhatpsychologysoughttofindoutsidehim。Oppositionthusbreaksoutinhisownself；ithasthistwofoldnature，itisaprocessormovementofconsciousness，anditisthefixedbeingofarealitywithaphenomenalcharacter，arealitywhichinitisdirectlyitsown。Thisbeing，the“body“ofthedeterminateindividuality，isitsoriginalsource，thatinthemakingofwhichithashadnothingtodo。Butsincetheindividualatthesametimemerelyiswhathehasdone，hisbodyisalsoan“expression“ofhimselfwhichhehasbroughtabout；asignandindicationaswell，whichhasnotremainedabareimmediatefact，butthroughwhichtheindividualonlymakesknownwhatisactuallyimpliedbyhissettinghisoriginalnaturetowork。
Ifweconsiderthemomentswehavehereinrelationtotheviewpreviouslyindicated，wefindageneralhumanshapeandform，oratleastthegeneralcharacterofaclimate，ofaportionoftheworld，ofapeople，justasformerlywefoundinthesamewaygeneralcustomsandculture。Inadditiontheparticularcircumstancesandsituationarewithintheuniversalreality；herethisparticularrealityisaparticularformationoftheshapeoftheindividual。Ontheotherside，whereasformerlyweweredealingwiththefreeactivityoftheindividual，andrealityinthesenseofhisownrealitywasputincontrastandoppositiontorealityasgiven，heretheshapeassumedbytheindividualstandsasanexpressionofhisownactualizationestablishedbytheindividualhimself，itbearsthelineamentsandformsofhisspontaneouslyactivebeing。Butthereality，bothuniversalaswellasparticular，whichobservationformerlyfoundoutsidetheindividual，isheretheactualrealityoftheindividual，hisconnatebody；andwithinthisverybodytheexpressionduetohisownactionappears。Fromthepsychologicalpointofviewobjectiverealityinandforitselfanddeterminateindividualityhadtobebroughtintorelationtooneanother；here，however，itisthewholedeterminateindividualitythatistheobjectforobservation，andeachaspectoftheoppositionitentailsisitselfthiswhole。Thus，totheouterwholebelongsnotmerelytheoriginalprimordialbeing，theconnatebody，buttheformationofthebodyaswell，whichisduetoactivityfromtheinnerside；thebodyisaunityofunformedandformedexistence，andistherealityoftheindividualpermeatedbyhisreferencetoself。Thiswholeembracesthedefinitepartsfixedoriginallyandfromthefirst，andalsothelineamentswhichariseonlyastheresultofaction；thiswholesoformedis，andthisbeingisanexpressionofwhatisinner，oftheindividualconstitutedasaconsciousnessandasaprocess。
Thisinneris，too，nolongerformal，spontaneousactivitywithoutanycontentordeterminatenessofitsown，anactivityWithitscontentandspecificnature，asintheformercase，lyinginexternalcircumstances；itisanoriginalinherentlydeterminateCharacter，whoseformaloneistheactivity。
What，then，wehavetoconsiderhereistherelationsubsistingbetweenthetwosides；thepointtoobserveishowthisrelationisdetermined，andwhatistobeunderstoodbytheinnerfindingexpressionintheouter。
Thisouter，inthefirstplace，doesnotactasanorganmakingtheinnervisible，or，ingeneralterms，abeingforanother；fortheinner，sofarasitisintheorgan，istheactivityitself。Themouththatspeaks，thehandthatworks，withthelegstoo，ifwecaretoaddthem，aretheoperativeorganseffectingtheactualrealization，andtheycontaintheactionquaaction，ortheinnerassuch；theexternality，however，whichtheinnerobtainsbytheirmeansisthedeed，theact，inthesenseofarealityseparatedandcutofffromtheindividual。Languageandlabourareouterexpressionsinwhichtheindividualnolongerretainspossessionofhimselfperse，butletstheinnergetrightoutsidehim，andsurrendersittosomethingelse。Forthatreasonwemightjustastrulysaythattheseouterexpressionsexpresstheinnertoomuchasthattheydosotoolittle:toomuch—
becausetheinneritselfbreaksoutinthem，andthereremainsnooppositionbetweenthemandit；
theynotmerelygiveanexpressionoftheinner，theygivetheinneritselfdirectlyandimmediately:
toolittle—becauseinspeechandactiontheinnerturnsitselfintosomethingelse，intoanother，andtherebyputsitselfatthemercyoftheelementofchange，whichtransformsthespokenwordandtheaccomplishedact，andmakessomethingelseoutofthemthantheyareinandforthemselvesasactionsofaparticulardeterminateindividual。Notonlydotheproductsofactions，owingtothisexternality，losebytheinfluenceofothersthecharacterofbeingsomethingconstantvis-a-visotherindividualities；butbytheirassumingtowardstheinnerwhichtheycontain，theattitudeofsomethingexternal，separate，independent，andindifferent，theycan，throughtheindividualhimself，bequainnersomethingotherthantheyseem。Eithertheindividualintentionallymakestheminappearancesomethingelsethantheyareintruth；orheistooincompetenttogivehimselftheouteraspectbereallywanted，andtogivethemsuchfixityandpermanencethattheproductofhisactioncannotbecomemisrepresentedbyothers。Theaction，then，intheformofacompletedproducthasthedoubleandoppositesignificanceofbeingeithertheinnerindividualityandnotitsexpression；or，quaexternal，arealitydetachedfromtheinner，arealitywhichissomethingquitedifferentfromtheinner。Onaccountofthisambiguity，wemustlookaboutfortheinnerasitstilliswithintheindividualhimself，butinavisibleorexternalform。Intheorgan，however，itexistsmerelyasimmediateactivityassuch，whichattainsitsexternalizationintheactordeed，thateitherdoesoragaindoesnotrepresenttheinner。Theorgan，inthelightofthisopposition，thusdoesnotaffordtheexpressionwhichissought。
Ifnowtheexternalshapeandformwereabletoexpresstheinnerindividualityonlyinsofarasthatshapeisneitheranorgannoraction，henceonlyinsofarasitisaninertpassivewhole，itwouldthenplayther?leofasubsistentthing，whichreceivedundisturbedtheinnerasanalienelementintoitsownpassivebeing，andtherebybecamethesignandsymbolofit—anexternalcontingentexpression，whoseactualconcreteaspecthasnomeaningofitsown—alanguagewhosesoundsandtone-combinationsarenottherealfactitself，butarecapriciouslyconnectedwithitandamereaccidentsofarasitisconcerned。
Suchacapriciousassociationoffactorsthatareexternalforoneanotherdoesnotgivealaw。
Physiognomy，however，wouldclaimdistinctionfromotherspuriousartsandunwholesomestudiesonthegroundthatindealingwithdeterminateindividualityitconsidersthenecessaryoppositionofaninnerandanouter，ofcharacterasaconsciousnatureandcharacterasadefinitelyembodiedorganicshape，andrelatesthesemomentstooneanotherinthewaytheyarerelatedtooneanotherbytheirveryconception，andhencemustconstitutethecontentofalaw。Inastrology，ontheotherhand，inpalmistryandsimilar“sciences“，thereappearsmerelyexternalelementrelatedtoexternalelement，anythingwhatsoevertoanelementalientoit。Agivenconstellationatbirth，and，whentheexternalelementisbroughtclosertothebodyitself，certaingivenlinesonthehand，areexternalfactorsmakingforlongorshortlife，andthefateingeneraloftheparticularperson。Beingexternalitiestheyareindifferenttowardsoneanother，andhavenoneofthenecessityforoneanotherwhichissupposedtolieintherelationofwhatisoutertowhatisinner。
Thehand，tobesure，doesnotseemtobesuchaveryexternalthingforfate；itseemsrathertostandtoitassomethinginner。Forfateagainisalsomerelythephenomenalmanifestationofwhatthespecificallydeterminateindividualityinherentlyisashavingoriginallyaninnerdeterminateconstitution。Nowtofindoutwhatthisindividualityisinitself，thepalmist，aswellasthephysiognomist，takesashortercutthan，e。g。，Solon，whothoughthecouldonlyknowthisfromandafterthecourseofthewholelife:thelatterlookedatthephenomenalexplicitreality，whiletheformerconsiderstheimplicitnature(dasAnsich)。Thattheband，however，mustexhibitandrevealtheinherentnatureofindividualityasregardsitsfate，iseasilyseenfromthefactthataftertheorganofspeechitisthehandmostofallbywhichamanactualizesandmanifestshimself。Itistheanimatedartificerofhisfortune:wemaysayofthebanditiswhatamandoes，forinitastheeffectiveorganofhisself-fulfilmentheistherepresentastheanimatingsoul；andsinceheisultimatelyandoriginallyhisownfate，thehandwillthusexpressthisinnateinherentnature。
Fromthispeculiarity，thattheorganofactivityisatonceaformofbeingandtheoperationgoingonwithinit，oragainthattheinnerinherentbeingisitselfexplicitlypresentinitandhasabeingforothers，wecomeuponafurtheraspectofitdifferentfromthepreceding。Foriftheorgansingeneralprovedtobeincapableofbeingtakenasexpressionsoftheinnerforthereasonthatinthemtheactionispresentasaprocess，whiletheactionasadeedor(finished)actismerelyexternal，andinnerandouterinthiswayfallapartandareorcanbealientooneanother，theorganmust，inviewofthepeculiaritynowconsidered，beagaintakenasalsoamiddletermforboth，sincethisveryfact，thattheoperationtakesplaceandispresentinit，constituteseoipsoanexternalattributeofit，andindeedonethatisdifferentfromthedeedoract；fortheformerholdsbytheindividualandremainswithhim。
Thismediatingtermunitinginnerandouterisinthefirstplaceitselfexternaltoo。Butthenthisexternalityisatthesametimetakenupintotheinner；itstandsintheformofsimpleunbrokenexternalityopposedtodispersedexternality，whicheitherisasingleperformanceorconditioncontingentfortheindividualityasawhole，orelse，intheformofatotalexternality，isfateordestiny，splitupintoapluralityofperformancesandconditions。Thesimplelinesofthehand，then，theringandcompassofthevoice，asalsotheindividualpeculiarityofthelanguageused:oragainthisidiosyncracyoflanguage，asexpressedwherethehandgivesitmoredurableexistencethanthevoicecando，viz。inwriting，especiallyintheparticularstyleof“handwriting“—allthisisanexpressionoftheinner，sothat，asagainstthemultifariousexternalityofactionandfate，thisexpressionagainstandsinthepositionofsimpleexternality，playsthepartofaninnerinrelationtotheexternalityofactionandfate。Thus，then，ifatfirstthespecificnatureandinnatepeculiarityoftheindividualalongwithwhatthesebecomeastheresultofcultivationanddevelopment，areregardedastheinnerreality，astheessenceofactionandoffate，thisinnerbeingfindsitsappearanceinexternalfashiontobeginwithinhismouth，hand，voice，handwriting，andtheotherorgansandtheirpermanentcharacteristics。Thereafterandnottillthendoesitgiveitselffurtheroutwardexpressioninitsrealizationintheworld。
Nowbecausethismiddletermassumesthenatureofanouterexpression，whichisatthesametimetakenbackintotheinner，itsexistenceisnotconfinedtotheimmediateorganofaction(thehand)；thismiddletermisratherthemovementandformofcountenanceandfigureingeneralwhichperformnooutwardact。Theselineamentsandtheirmovementsonthisprinciplearethecheckedandrestrainedactionthatstopsintheindividualand，asregardshisrelationtowhatheactuallydoes，constitutehisownpersonalinspectionandobservationoftheaction-outerexpressioninthesenseofreflexionupontheactualouterexpression。
Theindividual，ontheoccasionofhisexternalaction，isthereforenotdumbandsilent，becauseheistherebyatoncereflectedintohimself，andhegivesarticulateexpressiontothisself-reflexion。
Thistheoreticalaction，theindividual\'sconversingwithhimselfonthematter，isalsoperceptibletoothers，forhisspeakingisitselfanouterexpression。
Inthisinner，then，whichinbeingexpressedremainsaninner，observationfindstheindividualreflectedoutofhisactualreality；andwehavetoseehowthecasestandswithregardtothenecessitywhichliesintheunityhere。
Hisbeingthusreflectedistobeginwithdifferentfromtheactitself，andthereforecanbe，andbetakenforsomethingotherthanthedeedis。Welookataman\'sfaceandseewhetherheisinearnestwithwhathesaysordoes。Conversely，however，whatishereintendedtobeanexpressionoftheinnerisatthesametimeanexistentobjectiveexpression，andhenceitselffallstothelevelofmereexistence，whichisabsolutelycontingentfortheself-consciousindividual。Itisthereforenodoubtanexpression，butatthesametimeonlyinthesenseofasign，sothattothecontentexpressedthepeculiarnatureofthatbywhichitisexpressediscompletelyindifferent。Theinnerinthusappearingisdoubtlessaninvisiblemadevisible，butwithoutbeingitselfunitedtothisappearance。Itcanjustaswellmakeuseofsomeotherappearanceasanotherinnercanadoptthesameappearance。Lichtenberg，(2)therefore，isrightinsaying:“Supposethephysiognomisteverdidhaveamaninhisgrasp，itwouldmerelyrequireacourageousresolutionontheman\'sparttomakehimselfagainincomprehensibleforcenturies。”
Inthepreviouscase(3)theimmediatelygivencircumstancesformedasphereofexistencefromwhichindividualityselectedwhatitcouldorwhatitwanted，eithersubmittingtoortransmutingthisgivenexistence，forwhichreasonthisdidnotcontainthenecessityandinnernatureofindividuality。
Similarlyheretheimmediatebeinginwhichindividualityclothesitsappearanceisonewhicheitherexpressesthefactofitsbeingreflectedbackoutofrealityandexistingwithinitself，orwhichisforitmerelyasignindifferenttowhatissignified，andthereforesignifyinginrealitynothing；itisasmuchitscountenanceasitsmask，whichcanbeputoffwhenitlikes。Individualitypermeatesitsownshape，moves，speaksintheshapeassumed；butthisentiremodeofexistenceequallywellpassesoverintoastateofbeingindifferenttothewillandtheact。Individualityeffacesfromitthesignificanceitformerlyhad—ofbeingthatwhereinindividualityisreflectedintoitself，orhasitstruenature—andinsteadputsitsrealnatureratherinthewillandthedeed。
Individualityabandonsthatconditionofbeingreflectedintoselfwhichfindsexpressioninlinesandlineaments，andplacesitsrealnatureintheworkdone。Hereinitcontradictstherelationshipwhichtheinstinctofreason，engagedinobservingself-consciousindividuality，establishesinregardtowhatitsinnerandoutershouldbe。Thispointofviewbringsustothespecialideaatthebasisofthescienceofphysiognomy-ifwecaretocallita“science“。Theoppositionthisformofobservationcomesuponisinformtheoppositionofpracticalandtheoretical，bothfallinginsidethepracticalaspectitself—theoppositionofindividuality，makingitselfrealinaction(inthemostgeneralsenseofaction)，andindividualityasbeinginthisactionatthesametimereflectedthenceintoself，andtakingtheactionforitsobject。Observationapprehendsandacceptsthisoppositioninthesameinvertedforminwhichitiswhenitmakesitsappearance。Toobservation，thedeeditselfandtheperformance，whetheritbethatofspeechoramoresolidreality，standforthenonessentialouter，whiletheindividuality\'sexistencewithinitselfpassesfortheessentialinner。Ofthetwoaspectswhichthepracticalmindinvolves，intentionandact(the“meaning“regardingtheactionandtheactionitself)，observationselectstheformerasthetrueinner；this(i。e。theintentionortrueinner)issupposedtohaveitsmoreorlessunessentialexternalizationintheact，whileitstrueouterexpressionistobehadintheforminwhichtheindividualisembodied。Thislatterexpressionisasensuousimmediatepresenceoftheindividualmind:theinwardness，whichisintendedtobethetrueinternalaspect，istheparticularpointoftheintention，andthesinglenessofself-existence:bothtogetherthemindsubjectively“meant“Thus，whatobservationtakesforitsobjectsisanexistencethatis“meant“；andwithinthissphereitlooksforlaws。
Theprimarywayofmakingconjectures(meinen)regardingthe“presumptive“presenceofmindiseveryday(natürlich)physiognomy，hastyjudgmentformedataglanceabouttheinnernatureandthecharacterofitsouterformandshape。Theobjectofthisguessworkthinking(4)isofsuchakindthatitsveryessenceinvolvesitsbeingintruthsomethingelsethanmerelysensuousandimmediate。Certainlywhatisreallypresentisjustthisconditionofbeinginsensuousformreflectedoutofsenseintoself；itisthevisibleasasensuouspresentmentoftheinvisible，whichconstitutestheobjectofobservation。Butthisverysensuousimmediatepresenceisthemind\'sreality“asthatrealityisapprovedbymereconjecture(Meinung)；andobservationfromthispointofviewoccupiesitselfwithits“presumed“(gemeint)existence，withphysiognomy，handwriting，soundofvoice，etc。
Observationrelatessuchandsuchasensuousfacttojustsuchasupposedorpresumed(gemeintes)inner。Itisnotthemurderer，thethief，thatistobeknown；itisthecapacitytobeamurderer，athief。Thedefinitelymarkedabstractattributeistherebylostintheconcreteindefinitecharacteristicnatureoftheparticularindividual，whichnowdemandsmoreskilfuldelineationsthantheformerqualificationssupply。Suchskilfuldelineationsnodoubtsaymorethanthequalification，“murderer“，“thief“，or“good-hearted“，“unspoiled“，andsoon；butarealongwayshortoftheiraim，whichistoexpressthebeingthatis“meant“，thesingleindividuality；asfarshortasthedelineationsoftheformandshape，whichgofurtherthana“flatbrow“，a“longnose“，etc。Fortheindividualshapeandform，liketheindividualself-consciousness，isquasomething“meant“，inexpressible。The“scienceofknowingmen“，(5)whichisconcernedaboutthesupposedhumanbeing，likethe“science“ofphysiognomy，whichdealswithhispresumedrealityandseekstoraisetothelevelofknowledgeuncriticalassertionsofeverday(natürlich)physiognomy，(6)isthereforesomethingwithneitherfoundationnorfinality；itcannotmanagetosaywhatit“means“becauseitmerely“means“，anditscontentismerelywhatis“presumed“or“meant“。
Theso-called“laws“，thiskindofsciencesetsouttofind，arerelationsholdingbetweenthesetwopresumedorsupposedaspects，andhencecanamounttonomorethananempty“fancying“
(meinen)。Againsincethispresumedknowledge，whichtakesuponitselftodealwiththerealityofmind，findsitsobjecttobejustthefactthatmindisreflectedfromsenseexistencebackintoself，andthat，formind，aspecificbodilyexpressionisanindifferentaccident，itisthereforeboundtobeawareatoncethatbytheso-called“laws“discovereditreallysaysnothingatall，butthat，strictlyspeaking，thisismerechatter，ormerelygivingouta“fancy“or“opinion“(Meinung)ofitsown—
(anassertionwhichhasthisamountoftruththattostateone\'s“opinion“，one\'s“fancy“，andnottoconveytherebythefactitself，butmerelya“fancyofone\'sown“，areoneandthesamething)。Incontent，however，suchobservationscannotdifferinvaluefromthese:“Italwaysrainsatourannualfair，saysthedealer；“Andeverytime，too，“saysthehousewife，“whenIamdryingmywashing。”
Lichtenberg，whocharacterizesphysiognomicobservationinthisway，addsthisremark:“Ifanyonesaid，\'Youact，certainly，likeanhonestman，butIcanseefromyourfaceyouareforcingyourselftodoso，andarearogueatheart，\'withoutadoubteverybravefellowtotheendoftimewhenaccostedinthatfashionwillretortwithaboxontheear。”
Thisretortistothepoint，forthereasonthatitrefutesthefundamentalassumptionofsucha“science“ofconjecture(meinen)，viz。thattherealityofamanishisface，etc。
Thetruebeingofamanis，onthecontrary，hisact；individualityisrealinthedeed，andadeeditiswhichcancelsboththeaspectsofwhatis“meant“or“presumed“tobe。Intheoneaspectwherewhatis“presumed“or“imagined“takestheformofapassivebodilybeing，individualityputsitselfforwardinactionasthenegativeessencewhichonlyissofarasitcancelsbring。Thenfurthermoretheactdoesawaywiththeinexpressiblenessofwhatself-consciousindividualityreally“means“；inregardtosuch“meaning“，individualityisendlesslydeterminedanddeterminable。Thisfalseinfinite，thisendlessdetermining，isabolishedinthecompletedact。Theactissomethingsimplydeterminate，universal，tobegraspedasanabstract，distinctivewhole；itismurder，theft，abenefit，adeedofbravery，andsoon，andwhatitiscanbesaidofit。
Itissuchandsuch，anditsbeingisnotmerelyasymbol，itisthefactitself。Itisthis，andtheindividualhumanbeingiswhattheactis。Inthesimplefactthattheactis，theindividualisforotherswhathereallyisandwithacertaingeneralnature，andceasestobemerelysomethingthatis“meant“or“presumed“tobethisorthat。Nodoubtheisnotputthereintheformofmind；butwhenitisaquestionofhisbeingquabeing，andthetwofoldbeingofbodilyshapeandactarepittedagainstoneanother，eachclaimingtobehistruereality，thedeedalone，istobeaffirmedashisgenuinebeing—nothisfigureorshape，whichwouldexpresswhathe“means“toconveybyhisacts，orwhatanyonemight“conjecture“hemerelycoulddo。Inthesameway，ontheotherhand，whenhisperformanceandhisinnerpossibility，capacity，orintentionareopposed，theformeraloneistoberegardedashistruereality，evenifhedeceiveshimselfonthepointand，afterhehasturnedfromhisactionintohimself，。meanstobesomethingelseinhis“innermind“thanwhatheisintheact。Individuality，whichcommitsitselftotheobjectiveelement，whenitpassesoverintoadeednodoubtputsitselftotheriskofbeingalteredandperverted。Butwhatsettlesthecharacteroftheactisjustthis—whetherthedeedisarealthingthatholdstogether，orwhetheritismerelyapretendedor“supposed“performance，whichisinitselfnullandvoidandpassesaway。
Objectificationdoesnotaltertheactitself；itmerelyshowswhatthedeedis，i。e。whetheritisorwhetheritisnothing。
Thebreakingupofthisrealbeingintointentions，andsubtletiesofthatsort，bywhichtherealman，i。e。hisdeed，istobereducedagainto，andexplainedintermsof，a“conjectured“being，aseventheindividualhimselfmayproduceoutofhimselfparticularintentionsconcerninghisreality—allthismustbelefttoidle“fancyingandpresuming“tofurnishatitsleisure。Ifthisidlethinkingwillsetitsineffectivewisdomtowork，andwilldenytheagentthecharacterofreason，andusehimsobadlyastowanttodeclarehisfigureandhislineamentstobehisrealbeinginsteadofhisact，thenitmayexpecttogettheretortabovespokenof，aretortwhichshowsthatfigureisnottheinherentbeing，butisonthecontraryanobjectsufficientlyonthesurfacetoberoughlyhandled。
Ifwelooknowattherangeofrelationsasawholeinwhichself-consciousindividualitycanbeobservedstandingtowardsitsouteraspect，therewillbeoneleftwhichhasstilltocomebeforeobservationasanobject。Inpsychologyitistheexternalrealityofthingswhichinthelifeofmindistohaveitscounterpartconsciousofitselfandmakethemindintelligible。Inphysiognomy，ontheotherhand，mindorspiritistobeknowninitsownproperouter(physical)aspect，aformofbeingwhichmaybecalledthelanguageorutteranceofmind—thevisibleinvisibilityofitsinnernature。
Thereisstillleftthefurthercharacteroftheaspectofreality—thatindividualityexpressesitsnatureinitsimmediateactuality，anactualitythatisdefinitelyfixedandpurelyexistent。
