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being incompatible with one another。 But the ceaseless activity of their own inherent nature makes
them at the same time moments of an organic unity； where they not merely do not contradict one
another； but where one is as necessary as the other； and this equal necessity of all moments
constitutes alone and thereby the life of the whole。 But contradiction as between philosophical
systems is not wont to be conceived in this way； on the other hand； the mind perceiving the
contradiction does not commonly know how to relieve it or keep it free from its onesidedness； and
to recognize in what seems conflicting and inherently antagonistic the presence of mutually
necessary moments。
The demand for such explanations； as also the attempts to satisfy this demand； very easily； pass
for the essential business philosophy has to undertake。 Where could the inmost truth of a
philosophical work be found better expressed than in its purposes and results？ and in what way
could these be more definitely known than through their distinction from what is produced during
the same period by others working in the same field？ If； however； such procedure is to pass for
more than the beginning of knowledge； if it is to pass for actually knowing； then we must； in point
of fact； look on it as a device for avoiding the real business at issue； an attempt to combine the
appearance of being in earnest and taking trouble about the subject with an actual neglect of the
subject altogether。 For the real subject…matter is not exhausted in its purpose； but in working the
matter out； nor is the mere result attained the concrete whole itself； but the result along with the
process of arriving at it。 The purpose of itself is a lifeless universal； just as the general drift is a
mere activity in a certain direction； which is still without its concrete realization； and the naked
result is the corpse of the system which has left its guiding tendency behind it。 Similarly； the
distinctive difference of anything is rather the boundary； the limit； of the subject； it is found at that
point where the subject…matter stops； or it is what this subject…matter is not。 To trouble oneself in
this fashion with the purpose and results； and again with the differences； the positions taken up and
judgments passed by one thinker and another； is therefore an easier task than perhaps it seems。
For instead of laying hold of the matter in hand； a procedure of that kind is all the while away from
the subject altogether。 Instead of dwelling within it and becoming absorbed by it； knowledge of
that sort is always grasping at something else； such knowledge； instead keeping to the
subject…matter and giving itself up to it； never gets away from itself。 The easiest thing of all is to
pass judgments on what has a solid substantial content； it is more difficult to grasp it； and most of
all difficult to do both together and produce the systematic exposition of it。
The beginning of culture and of the struggle to pass out of the unbroken immediacy of naive
Psychical life has always to be made by acquiring knowledge of universal principles and points of
view； by striving； in the first instance； to work up simply to the thought of the subject…matter in
general； not forgetting at the same time to give reasons for supporting it or refuting it； to apprehend
the concrete riches and fullness contained in its various determinate qualities； and to know how to
furnish a coherent； orderly account of it and a responsible judgment upon it。 This beginning of
mental cultivation will； however； very soon make way for the earnestness of actual life in all its
fullness； which leads to a living experience of the subject…matter itself； and when； in addition；
conceptual thought strenuously penetrates to the very depths of its meaning； such knowledge and
style of judgment will keep their clue place in everyday thought and conversation。
2。 The element of truth is the Concept/Notion （Begriff）； and its true form the
scientific system
The systematic development of truth in scientific form can alone be the true shape in which truth
exists。 To help to bring philosophy nearer to the form of science…that goal where it can lay aside
the name of love of knowledge and be actual knowledge…that is what I have set before me。 The
inner necessity that knowledge should be science lies in its very nature； and the adequate and
sufficient explanation for this lies simply and solely in the systematic exposition Of philosophy itself。
The external necessity； however； so far as this is apprehended in a universal way； and apart from
the accident of the personal element and the particular occasioning influences affecting the
individual； is the same as the internal： it lies in the form and shape in which the process of time
presents the existence of its moments。 To show that the time process does raise philosophy to the
level of scientific system would； therefore； be the only true justification of the attempts which aim at
proving that philosophy must assume this character； because the temporal process would thus
bring out and lay bare the necessity of it； nay； more； would at the same time be carrying out that
very aim itself。
When we state the true form of truth to be its scientific character…or； what is the same thing； when
it is maintained that truth finds the medium of its existence in notions or conceptions alone…I know
that this seems to contradict an idea with all its consequences which makes great pretensions and
has gained widespread acceptance and conviction at the present time。 A word of explanation
concerning this contradiction seems； therefore； not out of place； even though at this stage it can
amount to no more than a dogmatic assurance exactly like the view we are opposing。 If； that is to
say； truth exists merely in what； or rather exists merely as what； is called at one time intuition； at
another immediate knowledge of the Absolute； Religion； Being…not being in the centre of divine
love； but the very Being of this centre； of the Absolute itself…from that point of view it is rather the
opposite of the notional or conceptual form which would be required for systematic philosophical
exposition。 The Absolute on this view is not to be grasped in conceptual form； but felt； intuited； it
is not its conception； but the feeling of it and intuition of it that are to have the say and find
expression。
3。 Present position of the spirit
If we consider the appearance of a claim like this in its more general setting； and look at the level
which the self…conscious mind at present occupies； we shall find that self…consciousness has got
beyond the substantial fullness of life； which it used to carry on in the element of thought…beyond
the state of immediacy of belief； beyond the satisfaction and security arising from the assurance
which consciousness possessed of being reconciled with ultimate reality and with its all。 pervading
presence； within as well as without。 Self…conscious mind has not merely passed beyond that to the
opposite extreme of insubstantial reflection of self into self； but beyond this too。 It has n