132132
Mechanical Law
?- 0 Hegel's 'System of Science'
- 1 Logic (Thinking of Thinking, Science of Science)
- 2 Nature (science of matter)
- 3 Spirit/Mind (Science of humanities)
- 11 Being (immediateness, 'Ontology')
- 12 Essence (mediation, reflection, metaphysics)
- 13 Concept (Notion / Logos / Comprehension, 'Begriff')
- 131 The subjective Concept (formal Concept)
- 132 The Object (real Concept)
- 133 The Idea (adequate Concept)
- 1321 Mechanism
- 1322 Chemical process (as logical)
- 1323 Teleology
- 13211 Mechanical object
- 13212 Mechanical process
- 13213 Absolute Mechanism
- 132131 Center
- 132132 Mechanical Law
- 132133 Transition to chemism
Law
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The law is the necessary relation in appearance --- the abiding, essential. It is not behind the phenomena, but their comprehended structure. Example: laws of nature (F=ma) formulate how appearances must behave. Law is the calm content of unquiet appearance. But: law is not rigid, but the expression of manifesting necessity. Hegel's critique of merely empirical laws (Hume): law is objective structure, not subjective habit.
Origin: Greek *nomos* (law, rule). Laws of nature since Newton. Kant: the understanding gives laws to nature. Hegel: laws are objective structures of reason of reality itself.
In Hegel: Enc. §138-140; SL Vol. 2, Appearance
Cross-references: Appearance, Essence, Necessity, Ground, Logic of Essence