Individual (Instance)

Hegel (Life) & general-philosophical

The single living being that realizes the genus within itself. Not isolated in Hegel (as in liberalism), but embedded in the context of the genus.

Origin

Traditionally: the indivisible (*in-dividuum*). Modernity: autonomous subject. Hegel: mediation of singularity and universality.

In Hegel

Enc. §216-218; SL Vol. 2, Idea of Life

Cross-references

Individual · Genus · Life