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use of its expressions that are employed for philosophical determinations； has before it some vague
idea of their distinctive meaning； just as it may be the case that in these expressions one recognises
nuances of pictorial thought that are more closely related to the corresponding Notions。 One will
be less ready； perhaps； to admit that something can be without existing； but at least； one will
hardly use 'being' as copula of the judgment as interchangeable with the expression 'to exist' and
say； 'this article exists dear； suitable； etc。'； 'gold exists a metal or metallic'； instead of 'this article is
dear； suitable； etc。'； 'gold is a metal or metallic'。
And surely it is usual to distinguish between being and appearing； appearance and actuality； as
well as to distinguish mere being from actuality； and still more all these expressions from
objectivity。 However； even should they be employed synonymously； philosophy will in any case
be free to utilise such empty superfluity of language for its distinctions。
When treating of the apodeictic judgment…the consummation of the judgment…where the subject
loses its determinateness as against the predicate； we referred to the twofold meaning of
subjectivity originating therefrom； namely； the subjectivity of the Notion； and equally of the
externality and contingency opposed to the Notion。 A similar twofold meaning also appears for
objectivity which stands opposed to the self…subsistent Notion； yet is also the being that is
in…and…for…itself。 In the former sense； the object stands opposed to the I = I which in subjective
idealism is enunciated as the absolutely true； in that case it is the manifold world in its immediate
existence with which the ego or the Notion only engages in never…ending struggle； in order； by the
negation of the intrinsic nullity of this other； to give to the first certainty of self the actual truth of
its equality with itself。 In a less specific sense it denotes an object in general for any interest or
activity of the subject。
But in the opposite sense； objectivity signifies that which is in and for itself； and free from
limitation and opposition。 Rational principles； perfect works of art。； etc。； are called objective in so
far as they are free and above all contingency。 Although rational； theoretical or ethical principles
belong only to subjectivity； to consciousness； yet that element in the latter that is in and for itself is
called objective； the cognition of truth is placed in cognising the object as object； free from
anything added by subjective reflection； and right conduct in the obedience to objective laws that
are not subjective in origin and admit no caprice and no treatment that might overthrow their
necessity。
At the present standpoint of our exposition objectivity signifies； in the first instance； the absolute
being of the Notion； that is； the Notion that has sublated the mediation posited in its
self…determination and converted it into immediate relation…to…self。 Consequently this immediacy
is itself immediately and wholly pervaded by the Notion； just as the Notion's totality is immediately
identical with its being。 But since； further； the Notion has equally to restore the free being…for…self
of its subjectivity； there arises a relationship between the Notion as end and objectivity。 In this
relationship the immediacy of the objectivity becomes the negative element over against the end；
an element to be determined by the activity of the end； this immediacy thus acquires the other
significance； that of being in and for itself null in so far as it stands opposed to the Notion。
First； then； objectivity is an immediacy whose moments； by virtue of the totality of all the moments；
exist in a self…subsistent indifference as objects outside one another； and in their relationship
possess the subjective unity of the Notion only as an inner or an outer unity。 This is
Mechanism。
But secondly； this unity reveals itself as the immanent law of the objects themselves； and thus their
relationship becomes their peculiar specific difference founded on their law； it becomes a relation
in which their determinate self…subsistence sublates itself。 This is Chemism。
Thirdly； this essential unity of the objects is thereby posited as distinct from their self…subsistence； it
is the subjective Notion； but posited as in and for itself related to objectivity； as end。 This is
Teleology。
Since the end is the Notion that is posited as in its own self relating itself to objectivity and as
sublating by its own act its defect of being subjective； the purposiveness which is at first external
becomes； through the realisation of the end； internal and the Idea。
Chapter 1 Mechanism
As objectivity is the totality of the Notion withdrawn into its unity； an immediate is thereby posited
that is in and for itself this totality； and is also posited as such； although in it the negative unity of
the Notion has not as yet detached itself from the immediacy of this totality； in other words；
objectivity is not yet posited as judgment。 In so far as it has the Notion immanent in it； it contains
the difference of the Notion； but on account of the objective totality； the differentiated moments
are complete and self…subsistent objects which consequently； even in their relation； stand to one
another only as self…subsistent things and remain external to one another in every combination。
This is what constitutes the character of mechanism； namely； that whatever relation obtains
between the things combined； this relation is one extraneous to them that does not concern their
nature at all； and even if it is accompanied by a semblance of unity it remains nothing more than
composition； mixture； aggregation and the like。 Spiritual mechanism also； like material；
consists in this； that the things related in the spirit remain external to one another and to spirit itself。
A mechanical style of thinking； a mechanical memory； habit； a mechanical way of acting；
signify that the peculiar pervasion and presence of spirit is lacking in what spirit apprehends or
does。 Although its theoretical or practical mechanism cannot take place without its self…activity；
without an impulse and consciousness； yet there is lacking in it the freedom of individuality； and
because this freedom is not manifest in it such action appears as a merely external one。
A。 The Mechanical Object
The object is； as we have seen； the syllogism； whose mediation has been sublated ＇ausgeglichen＇
and has therefore become an immediate identity。 It is therefore in and for itself a universal —
universality not in the sense of a community of properties； but a universality that pervades the
particularity and in it is immediate individuality。
1。 In the first place therefore the object does not differentiate itself into matter and form — a
matter as the self…subsistent universal side of the object and a form as the particular and individual
side； such an abstract difference of individuality and universality is excluded by the Notion of
object； if it is regarded as matter it must be taken as in principle formed matter。 Similarly； it may be
defined as a thing with properties