Friday, February 3, 2012

The Finite Mind

From the beginning of the Phenomenology, we are presented with the idea of the finite mind. Can a finite mind process the absolute? Obviously, according to Hegel this is possible through a system of contradictions. What I mean by saying a system of contradictions is that the mind, through being finite, can only understand things through a lens of our finite-ness, and this creates contradictions and problems to our speculative truth. I believe that naturally, people weigh the contradictions and justifications, but it seems that Hegel has abandoned this tendency to a more radical approach. Insofar that I have read, Hegel quickly abandons the truth at question and moves on.

The problem that I see with this approach is that after stumbling upon a problem, Hegel seems to just assume that the approach much not be correct. Though I am not saying that Hegel's methods are wrong, I believe that with the assumption that this is a finite mind, the contradiction that has arisen may be wrong. And so, the finite mind may just be in its finite-ness and may have overlooked something about the truth at question. Simply put, the contradiction may not have been a contradiction at all, but just in the act of being limited. Though this may sound like I have overlooked Hegel's purpose and method, this is just an idea that I have thought of.

However, this might be Hegel's point that our mind is limited and that contradictions will arise. And through these contradictions and re-evaluations, the absolute will be the product. I do not know if I am saying the same thing as Hegel is meaning. This is where I need help figuring out.


1 comment:

  1. I remember hearing or reading a quote of Hegel that he believed his writings for logic and Phenomenology were to be suitable for his then present day.
    I bring up this point because although complications will arise and contradictions will appear due to our finiteness and lack of omnipotence, we will never cease to have error in our experience. But it is these errors and complications that, interwoven with the truths of the world, we will achieve the absolute, and fulfill the dialectic process.

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