"The Absolute Idea" in the Science of Logic. Methodological Resources for Fulfilling the Destiny of the Idea

Abstract

The Chapter "The Absolute Idea" concludes Hegel's Science of Logic by presenting the method of pure thinking. In this paper, I aim to defend the thesis that the absolute method introduced therein fulfills one of the central tasks of the absolute idea: the reconciliation of the subjective and objective poles of the idea. This reconciliation will be demonstrated by showing that the development of the method reveals two distinct dimensions: a methodological dimension and an operational dimension. In other words, the method will first be revealed as the methodological or procedural dynamics of the Logic. Second, the method will be shown as the operations and very nature of thinking, which ultimately coincides with the internal dynamics of every object. However, for this articulation to be successful, it is essential to account for the connection between the absolute method (that is, the absolute idea) and the preceding logical course that leads to the deduction of the absolute idea. Failure in this regard would result in several problematic issues, most notably establishing a new division between the development of the object of pure thinking and the structure of this pure thinking itself.