philosophy of nature-第13章
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individuality； and therefore a limited particularity； so that the process has immediate and contingent
conditions。 Fire and differentiation are extinguished in the neutral body； and it does not break apart
sufficiently in itself to divide。 Similarly； difference exists at first in indifferent independence； but
does not stand for itself in relation to the other； nor does it activate itself
Certain chemical phenomena have led chemists to apply the determination of purposiveness in
explaining them。 An example is the f that an oxide is reduced to a lower degree of oxidation than
that at which it can combine with the acid working on it； and a part of it is more strongly
oxidised…；…here the self…determination of the concept lies in the realisation。
§ 259。
In the chemical process the body thus displays the transiency of its immediate individuality both in
its emergence and its passing away； and presents itself as a moment of generality。 In this immediate
individuality the concept has the reality which corresponds to it； a concrete generality which
derives from particularisation； and at the same time contains in itself the conditions and moments of
the total syllogism which fall apart from each other in the immediate chemical process； — the
organism。
III
Organic Physics
A。 Geological Nature … B。 Vegetable Nature … C。 The Animal Organism
§ 260。
The real totality of the individual body； in which its particularity is made into a product and equally
suspends itself — elevates itself in the process into the first ideality of nature； but an ideality which
is fulfilled； and as self…related negative unity has essentially attained selfhood and become
subjective。 With this accomplished； the idea has entered into existence； initially as an immediate
existence； Life。 This is： （a） as shape； the general image of life； the geological organism； （b） as
particular or formal subjectivity； vegetable nature； （c） as individual； concrete subjectivity； animal
nature。
A。
Geological Nature
§ 261。
The general system of individual bodies is the earth； which in the chemical process initially has its
abstract individuality in particularisation； but as the totality it has an infinite relation to itself as a
general； self…dividing process； … and is； immediately； the subject and its product。 As the immediate
totality； however； presupposed by subjective totality itself the body of the earth is only the shape
of the organism。
§ 262。
The members of this organism do not contain； therefore； the generality of the process within
themselves； they are the particular individuals； and constitute a system whose forms manifest
themselves as members of the unfolding of an underlying idea； whose process of development is a
past one。
§ 263。
The powers of this process； which nature leaves behind as independent entities beyond earth； are
the connection and the position of the earth in the solar system； its solar； lunar； and cometary life；
the inclination of its axis to the orbit and the magnetic axis。 Standing in closer relation to these axes
and their polarisation is the distribution of sea and land： the compact spreading of land in the north；
the division and sharp tapering of the parts towards the south； the further separation into an old
and a new world； and the further division of the former into continents distinguished from one
another and from the new world by their physical； organic； and anthropological character； to
which an even younger and more immature continent is joined； — mountain ranges； and so on。
§ 264。
The physical organisation of the earth shows a series of stages of granitic activity； involving a core
of mountains in which the trinity of determinations is displayed； and leads through other forms
which are partly transitions and modifications； though its totality remains the existing foundation；
only more unequal and unformed within itself This is partly also an elaboration of its moments into
a more determinate difference and more abstract mineral moments； such as metals and fossil
objects generally； until it loses itself in mechanical stratifications and alluvial terrains lacking any
immanent formative development。
§ 265。
This crystal of life； the inanimate organism of the earth which has its concept in the sidereal
connection but possesses its own process as a presupposed past； is the immediate subject of the
meteorological process； which as an organised whole is in its complete determinateness。 In this
objective subject the formerly elementary process is now objective and individual； — the
suspension of immediacy takes place； through which general individuality now emerges for itself
and life becomes vital or real。 The first real vitality； which the fructified earth brings forth； is
vegetable nature。
B。
Vegetable Nature
§ 266。
The generality and individuality of life are still immediately identical in immediate vitality。
Consequently the process by which the plant differentiates itself into distinct parts and sustains
itself is one in which it comes out of itself and falls into pieces as several individuals； for which the
whole plant is more the basis than a subjective unity。 A further consequence is that the
differentiation of the organic parts is only a superficial metamorphosis； and one part can easily pass
into the function of the other。
§ 267。
The process of shaping and reproduction of the single individual coincides in this way with the
process of genus formation。 And because self…like generality； the subjective unit of individuality；
does not separate itself from real particularisation but is only submerged in it； the plant does not
move from its place； nor is it a selfinterrupting individualisation； but a continually flowing
self…nourishment。 It does not relate itself to individualised inorganic nature； but to the general
elements。 Nor is it capable of feeling and animal warmth。
§ 268。
Insofar； however； as life is essentially the concept which realises itself only through self…division
and reunification； the plant processes also diverge from each other。 （1） But their inner process of
formation is to be seen partly as the positive； merely immediate transformation of nourishment
supplies into the specific nature of plants。 On the one hand； and for the sake of essential simplicity；
this is the division into abstract generality of an implicitly inseparable individuality； as into the
negative of vitality； becoming wood。 But on the other hand； on the side of individuality and vitality；
this is the process specifying itself in an outward direction。
§ 269。
（2） This is the unfolding of the parts as organs of different elementary relations； the division partly
into the relation to earth and into the air and water process which mediates them。 Since the plant
does not hold itself back in inner； subjective generality against outer individuality； it is equally torn
out of itself by light； from which it takes the specific confirmation and individualisation of itself
knotted and multiplied into a multiplicity of individuals。
§ 270。
Since； however； the reproduction of the individual vegetable as a singularity is not the subjective
return into itself a feeling of self but inwardly becomes wooden； the production of the self of the
plant consequently moves in an outward direction。 The plant brings forth its light as its own self in
the blossom； in which the neutral colour green is determined as a specific coloration； or； too； light
is produced as a white colour； purified from the dark。
§ 271。
Since the plant
