Essence

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Not a Platonic essence behind things, but being as mediated, as reflected. "The truth of being is essence" (Science of Logic). Essence is not a thing behind things, but the way things relate to one another and refer to one another. "Essence is its own shining within itself" (Enz. §112) --- it shows itself IN appearances, not behind them. The new form of movement: no longer "passing-over" (logic of being), but "shining" --- mutual constitution without vanishing.

Origin: Traditionally: essence = what something is (essentia). Hegel: essence as the movement of reflection --- being reflected within itself. Not a hidden substance, but the structure of mediations.

In Hegel: Enz. §112-114; Science of Logic, Vol. 2, Doctrine of Essence

Cross-references: Being, Semblance, Appearance, Reflection, Shining, Logic of Essence

Commentary on the Logic, Chapter 8

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