Single Idea 19073

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / b. Philosophy as transcendent]

Full Idea

Everything deserving the name of philosophy has constantly been based on the consciousness of an absolute unity, where the understanding sees and accepts only separation.

Gist of Idea

True philosophy aims at absolute unity, while our understanding sees only separation

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Logic (Encyclopedia I) [1817], §213)

Book Reference

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Logic (from Encyclopaedia)', ed/tr. Wallace,W. /Finlay,J.N. [OUP 1975], p.276


A Reaction

Puzzled by the role of 'understanding' here. I tend to cite that as the highest aspiration of philosophy. Hegel seems to offer a higher understanding of unity, and a weaker analytic understanding, which is part of our limited psychology.