波波小说

波波小说>哲学史-philosophy of history(英文版) > 第19部分(第3页)

第19部分(第3页)

§ 88

In the very element of an achievement the quality of generality; of thought; is contained; without

thought it has no objectivity; that is its basis。 The highest point in the development of a people is

this; — to have gained a conception of its life and condition; — to have reduced its laws; its ideas

of justice and morality to a science; for in this unity 'of the objective and subjective' lies the most

intimate unity that Spirit can attain to in and with itself。 In its work it is employed in rendering itself

an object of its own contemplation; but it cannot develop itself objectively in its essential nature;

except in thinking itself。

§ 89

At this point; then; Spirit is acquainted with its principles — the general character of its acts。 But at

the same time; in virtue of its very generality; this work of thought is different in point of form from

the actual achievements of the national genius; and from the vital agency by which those

achievements have been performed。 We have then before us a real and an ideal existence of the

Spirit of the Nation。 If we wish to gain the general idea and conception of what the Greeks were;

we find it in Sophocles and Aristophanes; in Thucydides and Plato。 In these individuals the Greek

spirit conceived and thought itself。 This is the profounder kind of satisfaction which the Spirit of a

people attains; but it is “ideal;” and distinct from its “real” activity。

§ 90

At such a time; therefore; we are sure to see a people finding satisfaction in the idea of virtue;

putting talk about virtue partly side by side with actual virtue; but partly in the place of it。 On the

other hand pure; universal thought; since its nature is universality; is apt to bring the Special and

Spontaneous — Belief; Trust; Customary Morality — to reflect upon itself; and its primitive

simplicity; to show up the limitation with which it is fettered; — partly suggesting reasons for

renouncing duties; partly itself demanding reasons; and the connection of such requirements with

Universal Thought; and not finding that connection; seeking to impeach the authority of duty

generally; as destitute of a sound foundation。

§ 91

At the same time the isolation of individuals from each other and from the Whole makes its

appearance; their aggressive selfishness and vanity; their seeking personal advantage and

consulting this at the expense of the State at large。 That inward principle in transcending its

outward manifestations is subjective also in form — viz。; selfishness and corruption in the unbound

passions and egotistic interests of men。

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