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shorter logic-第67部分
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in the essence; and in the essence there is nothing but what is manifested。
§140
In the second place; Inward and Outward; as formal terms; are also reciprocally
opposed; and that thoroughly。 The one is the abstraction of identity with self; the
other mere multiplicity or reality。 But as stages of the one form; they are
essentially identical so that whatever is at first explicitly put only in the one
abstraction; is also plainly and at one step in the other。 Therefore what is only
internal is also only external: and what is only external; is so far only at first
internal。
It is the customary mistake of reflection to take essence to be merely the interior。
If it be so taken; even this way of looking at it is purely external; and that sort of
essence is the empty external abstraction。
Ins Innere der Natur
Dringt kein erschaffner Geist;
Zu glücklich wenn er nur
De ?ussere Schaale weisst。
It ought rather to have been said that; if the essence of nature is ever described as
the inner part; the person who so describes it only knows its outer shell。 In Being
as a whole; or even in mere sense…perception; the notion is at first only an inward;
and for that very reason is something external to Being; a subjective thinking and
being; devoid of truth。 In Nature as well as in Mind; so long as the notion; design;
or law are at first the inner capacity; mere possibilities; they are first only an
external; inorganic nature; the knowledge of a third person; alien force; and the
like。 As a man is outwardly; that is to say in his actions (not of course in his
merely bodily outwardness); so he is inwardly: and if his virtue; morality; etc。 are
only inwardly his … that is if they exist only in his intentions and sentiments; and
his outward acts are not identical with them … the one half of him is as hollow and
empty as the other。
§140n
The relation of Outward and Inward unites the two relations that precede; and at the same time
sets in abeyance mere relativity and phenomenality in general。 Yet so long as understanding keeps
the Inward and Outward fixed in their separation; they are empty forms; the one as null as the
other。 Not only in the study of nature; but also of the spiritual world; much depends on a just
appreciation of the relation of inward and outward; and especially on avoiding the misconception
that the former only is the essential point on which everything turns; while the latter is unessential
and trivial。 We find this mistake made when; as is often done; the difference between nature and
mind is traced back to the abstract difference between inner and outer。 As for nature; it certainly is
in the gross external; not merely to the mind; but even on its own part。 But to call it external 'in the
gross' is not to imply an abstract externality…for there is no such thing。 It means rather that the Idea
which forms the common content of nature and mind; is found in nature as outward only; and for
that very reason only inward。 The abstract understanding; with its 'either…or'; may struggle against
this conception of nature。 It is none the less obviously found in our other modes of consciousness;
particularly in religion。 It is the lesson of religion that nature; no less than the spiritual world; is a
revelation of God: but with this distinction; that while nature never gets so far as to be conscious of
its divine essence; that consciousness is the express problem of the mind; which in the matter of
that problem is as yet finite。 Those who look upon the essence of nature as mere inwardness; and
therefore inaccessible to us; take up the same line as that ancient creed which regarded God as
envious and jealous; a creed which both Plato and Aristotle pronounced against long ago。 All that
God is; he imparts and reveals; and he does so at first in and through nature。
Any object indeed is faulty and imperfect when it is only inward; and thus at the same time only
outward; or (which is the same thing) when it is only an outward and thus only an inward。 For
instance; a child; taken in the gross as human being; is no doubt a rational creature; but the reason
of the child as child is at first a mere inward; in the shape of his natural ability or vocation; etc。 This
mere inward; at the same time; has for the child the form of a mere outward; in the shape of the
will of his parents; the attainments of his teachers; and the whole world of reason that environs
him。 The education and instruction of a child aim at making him actually and for himself what he is
at first only potentially and therefore for others; viz。; for his grown up friends。 The reason; which at
first exists in the child only as an inner possibility; is actualised through education: and conversely;
the child by these means becomes conscious that the goodness; religion; and science which he had
at first looked upon as an outward authority; are his own nature。 As with the child so it is in this
matter with the adult; when; in opposition to his true destiny; his intellect and will remain in the
bondage of the natural man。 Thus; the criminal sees the punishment to which he has to submit as an
act of violence from without; whereas in fact the penalty is only the manifestation of his own
criminal will。
From what has now been said; we may learn what to think of a man who; when blamed for his
shortcomings; or; it may be; his discreditable acts; appeals to the (professedly) excellent intentions
and sentiments of the inner self he distinguishes therefrom。 There certainly may be individual cases
where the malice of outward circumstances frustrates well…meant designs; and disturbs the
execution of the best…laid plans。 But in general even here the essential unity between inward and
outward is maintained。 We are thus justified in saying that a man is what he does; and。 the lying
vanity which consoles itself with the feeling of inward excellence may be confronted with the
words of the Gospel: 'By their fruits ye shall know them。' That grand saying applies primarily in a
moral and religious aspect; but it also holds good in reference to performances in art and science。
The keen eye of a teacher who perceives in his pupil decided evidences of talent; may lead him to
state his opinion that a Raphael of a Mozart lies hidden in the boy: and the result will show how far
such an opinion was well…founded。 But if a daub of a painter; or a poetaster; soothe themselves by
the conceit that their head is full of high ideas; their consolation is a poor one; and if they insist on
being judged not by their actual works but by their projects; we may safely reject their pretensions
as unfounded and unmeaning。 The converse case however also occurs。 In passing judgment on
men who have accomplished something great and good; we often make use of the false distinction
between inward and outward。 All that they have accomplished; we say; is outward merely;
inwardly they were acting from some very different motive; such as a desire to gratify their vanity
or other unworthy passion。 This is the spirit of envy。 Incapable of any great actio
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