Blackwell Reference Online

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M etaphysics Influenced by Spinoza , Hegel claimed that there is only one substance, that is, the absolute . In contrast to Spinoza, Hegel's absolute as substance is also subject. For Descartes , individual subjects are thinking substances, and for Leibniz , monads as substances have self-consciousness . Hegel developed these ideas and held that substance as subject is the movement of positing itself and of developing into its contrary, and is further unified by the movement to a higher unity. By repeating such a movement, substance generates and dissolves its attributes , that is, its appearance . Substance and attributes are mutually inclusive, for substance can be substance only through revealing itself in its attributes. The development of substance is the reflection into self of the subject, and the subject makes itself what it becomes. “Substance is accordingly the totality of the accidents, revealing itself in them as their absolute negativity (that is to say, as absolute power) and at the same time as the wealth of all content.” Hegel, Logic ... log in or subscribe to read full text