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（a） The Categorical Syllogism
（b） The Hypothetical Syllogism
（c） The Disjunctive Syllogism
Section Two： Objectivity
Chapter 1 Mechanism
A The Mechanical Object
B The Mechanical Process
（a） The Formal Mechanical Process
（b） The Real Mechanical Process
（c） The Product of the Mechanical Process
C Absolute Mechanism
（a） The Centre
（b） Law
（c） Transition of Mechanism
Chapter 2 Chemism
A The Chemical Object
B The Chemical Process
C Transition of Chemism
Chapter 3 Teleology
A The Subjective End
B The Means
C The Realised End
Section Three： The Idea
Chapter 1 Life
A The Living Individual
B The Life Process
C The Genus ＇Kind＇
Chapter 2 The Idea of Cognition
A The Idea of the True
（a） Analytic Cognition
（b） Synthetic Cognition
1。 Definition
2。 Division
3。 The Theorem
B The Idea of the Good
Chapter 3 The Absolute Idea
Preface to the First Edition
The complete transformation which philosophical thought in Germany has undergone in the last
twenty…five years and the higher standpoint reached by spirit in its awareness of itself； have had
but little influence as yet on the structure of logic。
That which； prior to this period； was called metaphysics has been； so to speak； extirpated root
and branch and has vanished from the ranks of the sciences。 The ontology； rational psychology；
cosmology； yes even natural theology； of former times…where is now to be heard any mention of
them； or who would venture to mention them？ Inquiries； for instance； into the immateriality of the
soul； into efficient and final causes； where should these still arouse any interest？ Even the former
proofs of the existence of God are cited only for their historical interest or for purposes of
edification and uplifting the emotions。 The fact is that there no longer exists any interest either in the
form or the content of metaphysics or in both together。 If it is remarkable when a nation has
become indifferent to its constitutional theory； to its national sentiments； its ethical customs and
virtues； it is certainly no less remarkable when a nation loses its metaphysics； when the spirit which
contemplates its own pure essence is no longer a present reality in the life of the nation。
The exoteric teaching of the Kantian philosophy — that the understanding ought not to go beyond
experience； else the cognitive faculty will become a theoretical reason which itself generates
nothing but fantasies of the brain — this was a justification from a philosophical quarter for the
renunciation of speculative thought。 In support of this popular teaching came the cry of modern
educationists that the needs of the time demanded attention to immediate requirements； that just as
experience was the primary factor for knowledge； so for skill in public and private life； practice
and practical training generally were essential and alone necessary； theoretical insight being harmful
even。 Philosophy ＇Wissenschaft＇ and ordinary common sense thus co…operating to bring about
the downfall of metaphysics； there was seen the strange spectacle of a cultured nation without
metaphysics…like a temple richly ornamented in other respects but without a holy of holies。
Theology； which in former times was the guardian of the speculative mysteries and of metaphysics
（although this was subordinate to it） had given up this science in exchange for feelings； for what
was popularly matter…of…fact； and for historical erudition。 In keeping with this change； there
vanished from the world those solitary souls who were sacrificed by their people and exiled from
the world to the end that the eternal should be contemplated and served by lives devoted solely
thereto…not for any practical gain but for the sake of blessedness； a disappearance which； in
another context； can be regarded as essentially the same phenomenon as that previously
mentioned。 So that having got rid of the dark utterances of metaphysics； of the colourless
communion of the spirit with itself； outer existence seemed to be transformed into the bright world
of flowers…and there are no black flowers； as we know。
Logic did not fare quite so badly as metaphysics。 ？？this prejudice has long since vanished； and
the spirit of practicality certainly did not intend for logic a better fate than was suffered by the sister
science。
Nevertheless； probably for the sake of a certain formal utility； it was still left a place among the
sciences； and indeed was even retained as a subject of public instruction。 However； this better lot
concerns only the outer fate of logic； for its structure and contents have remained the same
throughout a long inherited tradition； although in the course of being passed on the contents have
become ever more diluted and attenuated； logic shows no traces so far of the new spirit which has
arisen in the sciences no less than in the world of actuality。 However； once the substantial form of
the spirit has inwardly reconstituted itself； all attempts to preserve the forms of an earlier culture
are utterly in vain； like withered leaves they are pushed off by the new buds already growing at
their roots。
Even in the philosophical sphere this ignoring of the general change is beginning gradually to come
to an end。 Imperceptibly； even those who are opposed to the new ideas have become familiar
with them and have appropriated them； and if they continue to speak slightingly of the source and
principles of those ideas and to dispute them； still they have accepted their consequences and have
been unable to defend themselves from their
influence； the only way in which they can give a positive significance and a content to their negative
attitude which is becoming less and less important； is to fall in with the new ways of thinking。 On
the other hand； it seems that the period of fermentation with which a new creative idea begins is
past。 In its first manifestation； such an idea usually displays a fanatical hostility toward the
entrenched systematisation of the older principle； usually too； it is fearful of losing itself in the
ramifications of the particular and again it shuns the labour required for a scientific elaboration of
the new principle and in its need for such； it grasps to begin with at an empty formalism。 The
challenge to elaborate and systematise the material now becomes all the more pressing。 There is a
period in the culture of an epoch as in the culture of the individual； when the primary concern is the
acquisition and assertion of the principle in its undeveloped intensity。 But the higher demand is that
it should become systematised knowledge。
Now whatever may have been accomplished for the form and content of philosophy in other
directions； the science of logic which constitutes metaphysics proper or purely speculative
philosophy； has hitherto still been much neglected。