Reflection

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The turning of thought back upon itself or upon its presuppositions. Reflection is the basic structure of essence -- essence is essentially reflexive, it "shines within itself."

Origin: Locke: reflection as inner experience. Kant: transcendental reflection. Fichte: reflection as the basic act of the I ("The I posits itself"). Hegel: reflection as the ontological structure of essence.

In Hegel: Enz. §112-114; Science of Logic, Vol. 2, "Essence as Reflection Within Itself"

Cross-references: Logic of Essence, Determinations of Reflection, Implicit Reflection, Self-application, Positing Reflection, External Reflection, Determining Reflection, Performative

Commentary on the Logic, Chapter 5

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