13232
Means
?- 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
- 13231 Subjective End/Purpose
- 13232 Means
- 13233 Realized End/Purpose
Means
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The means is the mediating link between purpose and result. In teleology: the purpose employs the means in order to realize itself. The means is ambiguous: (1) serving --- used by the purpose, (Ch. 2) independent --- has its own laws (mechanics, chemism). The cunning of reason: the purpose lets the means do the work, preserving itself in the process. Example: a tool (hammer) as means between intention (driving in a nail) and result (nail in the wood). The means is more objective than the subjective purpose: it remains, while purposes change. The dialectical point: the means is not merely passive, but shows the objectivity that the purpose must recognize.
Origin: Greek *organon* (tool). Aristotle: the four causes (*causa instrumentalis*). Kant: means-ends rationality. Hegel: the means shows the cunning of reason --- spirit works through objectivity.
In Hegel: Enc. §207-210; SL Vol. 2, Teleology
Cross-references: Purpose, Teleology, Cunning of Reason, Objectivity, Mechanism, Logic of the Concept