Possibility

Hegel distinguishes three levels of possibility: 1. **Formal possibility** — mere freedom from contradiction. "Everything is possible that does not contradict itself." This is *empty* possibility: a golden mountain is formally possible (no contradiction), but this says nothing about realizability. Hegel's sharp critique: "There is therefore no emptier talk than that of such possibility" (Enc. §143, addition). For: what is formally possible is also formally impossible (one need only hold fast to some opposition). The less someone knows, the more he considers possible — for he does not yet know the obstacles. 2. **Real possibility** — all conditions are present. Here it is a matter of the concrete presuppositions: does the seed have water, earth, warmth? Then the tree is really possible. Real possibility asks: what obstacles exist? What conditions must be fulfilled? 3. **Absolute possibility** — coincides with actuality. When *all* conditions are fulfilled, it is already actual. Absolute possibility sublates itself: what is absolutely possible IS.