The Hegelian Spirit of Living: Stopping at the Introduction

"what calls itself fear of error reveals itself rather as fear of the truth"- Hegel

This morning, I was haunted by a spirit that urged me to open the pages of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. Possessed by such enthusiasm, my eyes stumbled upon the introduction, which insisted that it be read in its entirety. Upon reading its entirety, I fell upon the irony of my spirit that to continue to read the rest of Hegel's PoS would be a disservice to the spirit of my consciousness.

What is this nonsense that I am rambling about? What am I speaking of? At the beginning of his introduction, Hegel asserts that the way to Truth is not through instruments or mediums. Therefore, to impose a criterion is to obscure Truth in its unfolding. But, of course, Hegel does not deny the utility of measures but instead asserts the standards are already in place, it is already on their way:

"85. But not only is a contribution by us superfluous, since Notion and object, the criterion and what is to be tested, are present in consciousness itself, but we are also spared the trouble of comparing the two and really testing them, so that, since what consciousness examines is its own self, all that is left for us to do is simply to look on"- Hegel

I quote these lines to identify the spirit of examination and bring it forth. If what Hegel is saying is confirmed by these accounts, it is unnecessary to impose a criterion, for consciousness carries within itself its own. But, by consequence and pure heart, if a man feels the spirit of this criteria and decides that he no longers needs to read further, he has embraced what Hegel is saying.

The danger lies in constructing one's criteria in the guise of his deceiving imposition to read Hegel entirely or to critique him and his fellow admirers superfluously. Therefore, the only misunderstanding that is harmful when thinking or reading Hegel is the ones who do not pursue Truth for the sake of itself.

Instead, we meet ironies to which Hegel himself would burst with laughter. Do we fear misunderstanding him? Am I a fool to mistake him? Yes! But that is the way to Truth. Only a man can know whether he has committed suicide for his constructions or has genuinely died for what he did not fear despite the threat of misunderstanding. Therefore, if a man pursues this with a fearless heart, he is already saved!

"88. Because of this necessity, the way to Science is itself already Science, and hence, in virtue of its content, is the Science of the experience of consciousness". - Hegel

Oh, the irony, my dear Hegelians! Hegel is so Lutheran that he is no longer Lutheran! And yet the purest one! But have I not once more fooled myself? Is this not a mere disguise to practice my conviction? Nay, for I am not set on the untruth of a particular view but put on the burning reigns of the criteria within!

"All that is left for us to do is simply look on." - Hegel

My! What beautiful and courageous words! So brave that if a man feels inspired to close the same book before him, he is indeed living in the Hegelian spirit. For the sake of itself, he has done so and no other. Please do not mistake my words, my dear readers, for it is always for the sake of itself!

And if there are Hegelians that seek your justification and condemn your understanding. Fools, they have become, for they have made Hegel "the criteria" rather than looking on! Set your eyes not on Hegel but on what he sets his eyes on!

For the sake of itself! So look on, those pure of heart!

"the way of the Soul is the actual fulfilment of the resolution"- Hegel.

Source: Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit