Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The assertion that ‘every determination is negation’ originates from the Hegelian tradition in philosophy, particularly his *Science of Logic*. This statement doesn’t imply a denial of existence, but rather highlights the inherently relational nature of definition. To define something is to distinguish it from everything else – to negate what it is not. This raises a fundamental question: if all our understanding of something relies on negation, how can a substance, traditionally understood as possessing inherent being, simultaneously hold multiple, distinct attributes? This answer will explore this paradox, demonstrating how the dialectical interplay of determination and negation allows for the richness and complexity of substance.
Understanding Determination and Negation
In Hegelian metaphysics, ‘determination’ refers to the process of defining or specifying something. However, this specification isn’t absolute; it’s always relative. To determine something is to limit its infinite potential, to bring it into a specific form. This limitation inherently involves a ‘negation’ – the exclusion of all other possibilities. For example, determining something as ‘red’ negates all other colours. This isn’t a destructive negation, but a *determinate negation* – a necessary step in the process of conceptualization.
The Dialectical Process
Hegel’s dialectic operates through three stages: thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. The thesis is an initial affirmation, a positive statement. The antithesis is its negation, the opposing idea. The synthesis resolves the conflict between the two, incorporating elements of both while transcending their limitations. This process isn’t linear but cyclical, with each synthesis becoming a new thesis. This dynamic process is crucial to understanding how substance can have attributes.
Substance and Attributes: A Dialectical Relationship
Substance, in this context, isn’t a static, unchanging entity. It’s a dynamic process of self-realization. Attributes aren’t simply ‘added’ to substance; they are moments in its self-development. Each attribute is a determination, and therefore a negation of other possibilities. However, this negation doesn’t destroy substance; it *defines* it.
- Example: Water (H2O) – Determining water as ‘liquid’ negates its potential to be ice or steam. However, this doesn’t negate the underlying substance (H2O). It simply specifies a particular manifestation of that substance.
- The Role of Internal Contradiction: Hegel argues that contradiction is inherent in being. Substance contains within itself the potential for its own negation and subsequent development. Attributes represent these internal contradictions being worked through.
Addressing the Paradox
The apparent paradox arises from a misunderstanding of negation. It’s not about annihilation but about differentiation. Each attribute negates other potential attributes, but this negation is internal to the substance. The substance *is* the process of negating and overcoming these limitations, constantly defining and redefining itself through its attributes. Therefore, attributes aren’t external additions but essential moments in the substance’s self-expression.
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Determination | The process of defining or specifying something. |
| Negation | The exclusion of possibilities inherent in determination; not destructive, but *determinate*. |
| Substance | A dynamic process of self-realization, not a static entity. |
| Attribute | A moment in the substance’s self-development, a specific determination. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the assertion that ‘every determination is negation’ doesn’t invalidate the possibility of substance having attributes. Rather, it reveals the dynamic and relational nature of being. Attributes aren’t external qualities imposed upon a static substance, but rather internal moments in its ongoing self-definition. Through the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, substance continuously negates and overcomes limitations, manifesting itself in a multitude of attributes. This understanding highlights the inherent interconnectedness and fluidity of reality, a cornerstone of Hegelian metaphysics.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.