willed。 Only the rational will is that universal principle which independently determines and
unfolds its own being； and develops its successive elemental phases as organic members。 Of this
Gothic…cathedral architecture the ancients knew nothing。
§ 50
At an earlier stage of the discussion； we established the two elemental considerations： first； the
idea of freedom as the absolute and final aim； secondly； the means for realising it； i。e。 the
subjective side of knowledge and will； with its life； movement； and activity。 We then recognised
the State as the moral Whole and the Reality of Freedom； and consequently as the objective unity
of these two elements。 For although we make this distinction into two aspects for our
consideration； it must be remarked that they are intimately connected； and that their connection is
involved in the idea of each when examined separately。 We have； on the one hand； recognised the
Idea in the definite form of Freedom conscious of and willing itself； … having itself alone as its
object： involving at the same time； the pure and simple Idea of Reason； and likewise； that which
we have called subject … self…consciousness … Spirit actually existing in the World。 If； on the other
hand； we consider Subjectivity； we find that subjective knowledge and will is Thought。 But by the
very act of thoughtful cognition and volition； I will the universal object … the substance of absolute
Reason。 We observe； therefore； an essential union between the objective side … the Idea； … and the
subjective side … the personality that conceives and wills it。 … The objective existence of this union
is the State； which is therefore the basis and centre of the other concrete elements of the life of a
people； … of Art； of Law； of Morals； of Religion； of Science。 All the activity of Spirit has only this
object … the being conscious of this union； i。e。； of its own Freedom。 Among the forms of this
conscious union Religion occupies the highest position。 In it； Spirit … rising above the limitations of
temporal and secular existence … bees conscious of the Absolute Spirit； and in this
consciousness of the self…existent Being； renounces its individual interest； it lays this aside in
Devotion … a state of mind in which it refuses to occupy itself any longer with the limited and
particular。 By Sacrifice man expresses his renunciation of his property； his will； his individual
feelings。 The religious concentration of the soul appears in the form of feeling； it nevertheless
passes also into reflection； a form of worship （cultus） is a result of reflection。 The second form of
the union of the objective and subjective in the human spirit is Art。 This advances farther into the
realm of the actual and sensuous than Religion。 In its noblest walk it is occupied with representing；
not indeed； the Spirit of God； but certainly the Form of God； and in its secondary aims； that which
is divine and spiritual generally。 Its office is to render visible the Divine； presenting it to the
imaginative and intuitive faculty。 But the True is the object not only of conception and feeling； as in
Religion； … and of Intuition； as in Art； … but also of the thinking faculty； and this gives us the third
form of the union in question … Philosophy。 This is consequently the highest； freest； and wisest
phase。 Of course we are not intending to investigate these three phases here； they have only
suggested themselves in virtue of their occupying the same general ground as the object here
considered … the State。
§ 51
The general principle which manifests itself and bees an object of consciousness in the State； …
the form under which all that the State includes is brought； is the whole of that cycle of phenomena
which constitutes the culture of a nation。 But the definite substance that receives the form of
universality； and exists in that concrete reality which is the State； … is the Spirit of the People itself。
The actual State is animated by this spirit； in all its particular affairs … its Wars； Institutions； &c。 But
man must also attain a conscious realisation of this his Spirit and essential nature； and of his original
identity with it。 For we said that morality is the identity of the subjective or personal with the
universal will。 Now the mind must give itself an express consciousness of this； and the focus of
this knowledge is Religion。 Art and Science are only various aspects and forms of the same
substantial being。 In considering Religion； the chief point of enquiry is whether it recognises the
True … the Idea … only in its separate； abstract form； or in its true unity； in separation … God being
represented in an abstract form as the Highest Being； Lord of Heaven and Earth； living in a remote
region far from human actualities； … or in its unity； … God； as Unity of the Universal and Individual；
the Individual itself assuming the aspect of positive and real existence in the idea of the Incarnation。
Religion is the sphere in which a nation gives itself the definition of that which it regards as the
True。 A definition contains everything that belongs to the essence of an object； reducing its nature
to its simple characteristic predicate； as a mirror for every predicate； … the generic soul Pervading
all its details。 The conception of God； therefore； constitutes the general basis of a people's
character。
§ 52
In this aspect； religion stands in the closest connection with the political principle。 Freedom can
exist only where Individuality is recognised as having its positive and real existence in the Divine
Being。 The connection may be further explained thus： … Secular existence； as merely temporal …
occupied with particular interests … is consequently only relative and unauthorised； and receives its
validity only in as far as the universal soul that pervades it … its principle … receives absolute validity；
which it cannot have unless it is recognised as the definite manifestation； the phenomenal existence
of the Divine Essence。 On this account it is that the State rests on Religion。 We hear this often
repeated in our times； though for the most part nothing further is meant than that individual subjects
as God…fearing men would be more disposed and ready to perform their duty； since obedience to
King and Law so naturally follows in the train of reverence for God。 This reverence； indeed； since
it exalts the general over the special； may even turn upon the latter； … bee fanatical； … and work
with incendiary and destructive violence against the State； its institutions； and arrangements。
Religious feeling； therefore； it is thought； should be sober … kept in a certain degree of coolness； …
that it may not storm against and bear down that which should be defended and preserved by it。
The possibility of such a catastrophe is at least latent in it。
§ 53
While； however； the correct sentiment is adopted； that the State is based on Religion； the position
thus assigned to Religion supposes the State already to exist； and that subsequently； in order to
maintain i