Page:Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion volume 2.djvu/144

 still made of natural forms which are external and inadequate. In proportion as the Natural is posited as existing negatively in the Immeasurable, is it also positive looked at in its finite existence, as opposed to the Infinite. Or, to put it otherwise, the Immeasurable, which, in proportion as everything disappears within it, is in like proportion also powerless, is the contradiction of Power and powerlessness. In contrast to this, we have now the Essence itself defined as the unity of the Infinite and the finite, as true Power, as infinitude which is concrete in itself, i.e., as the unity of the finite and the Infinite. It is this, accordingly, that we have in the determination of wisdom which is the Power which determines itself within itself, and this determination is the finite aspect, and thus the Divine is known as what is concrete in itself, inherently infinite form. This form is the aspect of the finite as potential, but posited here under the aspect of the Infinite. In the concrete ideality of the Essence the contradiction referred to as existing in the Immeasurable is done away with, since the Essence is a manifestation of itself for itself, and not an abstract beingfor-self. Posited as Power, it is the absolute negativity which differentiates itself, but in such a way that the differences are done away with, and are only a semblance. That is powerful which has the soul, the Idea of the “Other,” which the Other is in its immediacy only. Whatever thinks that which the “Others” only are, constitutes their Power. The Essence (not a particular Essence or one higher Essence)—i.e., the Universe as absolute Power—is satisfied in itself and is Totality, since all other determinations are taken up into and absorbed in it. In order to be, it does not have recourse to natural objects, but has a determinate character of its own within itself, and is the totality of its appearance or semblance.

Since thus the determination of pure thought belongs to the determining or characterisation of the Essence itself, it follows that further advance in characterisation