soever they may be — exhibit only a perpetually self…repeating cycle； in Nature there happens
“nothing new under the sun；” and the multiform play of its phenomena so far induces a feeling of
ennui； only in those changes which take place in the region of Spirit does anything new arise。 This
peculiarity in the world of mind has indicated in the case of man an altogether different destiny
from that of merely natural objects — in which we find always one and the same stable character；
to which all change reverts； — namely； a real capacity for change； and that for the； better； — an
impulse of perfectibility。 This principle； which reduces change itself under a law； has met with an
unfavourable reception from religions — such as the Catholic — and from States claiming as their
just right a stereotyped； or at least a stable position。 If the mutability of worldly things in general —
political constitutions； for instance — is conceded； either Religion （as the Religion of Truth） is
absolutely excepted； or the difficulty escaped by ascribing changes； revolutions； and abrogations
of immaculate theories and institutions； to accidents or imprudence； — but principally to the levity
and evil passions of man。 The principle of Perfectibility indeed is almost as indefinite a term as
mutability in general； it is without scope or goal； and has no standard by which to estimate the
changes in question： the improved； more perfect； state of things towards which it professedly tends
is altogether undetermined。
§ 61
The principle of Development involves also the existence of a latent germ of being — a capacity
or potentiality striving to realise itself。 This formal conception finds actual existence in Spirit； which
has the History of the World for its theatre； its possession； and the sphere of its realisation。 It is not
of such a nature as to be tossed to and fro amid the superficial play of accidents； but is rather the
absolute arbiter of things； entirely unmoved by contingencies； which； indeed； it applies and
manages for its own purposes。 Development； however； is also a property of organised natural
objects。 Their existence presents itself； not as an exclusively dependent one； subjected to external
changes； but as one which expands itself in virtue of an external unchangeable principle； a simple
essence； — whose existence； i。e。； as a germ； is primarily simple； — but which subsequently
develops a variety of parts； that bee involved with other objects； and consequently live
through a continuous process of changes； — a process nevertheless； that results in the very
contrary of change； and is even transformed into a vis conservatrix of the organic principle； and
the form embodying it。 Thus the organised individuum produces itself； it expands itself actually to
what it was always potentially： So Spirit is only that which it attains by its own efforts； it makes
itself actually what it always was potentially。 — That development （of natural organisms） takes
place in a direct； unopposed； unhindered manner。 Between the Idea and its realisation — the
essential constitution of the original germ and the conformity to it of the existence derived from it
— no disturbing influence can intrude。 But in relation to Spirit it is quite otherwise。 The realisation
of its Idea is mediated by consciousness and will； these very faculties are； in the first instance； sunk
in their primary merely natural life； the first object and goal of their striving is the realisation of their
merely natural destiny； — but which； since it is Spirit that animates it； is possessed of vast
attractions and displays great power and ＇moral＇ richness。 Thus Spirit is at war with itself ； it has to
overe itself as its most formidable obstacle。 That development which in the sphere of Nature is
a peaceful growth； is in that of Spirit； a severe； a mighty conflict with itself。 What Spirit really
strives for is the realisation of its Ideal being； but in doing so； it hides that goal from its own vision；
and is proud and well satisfied in this alienation from it。
§ 62
Its expansion； therefore； does not present the harmless tranquillity of mere growth； as does that of
organic life； but a stern reluctant working against itself。 It exhibits； moreover； not the mere formal
conception of development； but the attainment of a definite result。 The goal of attainment we
determined at the outset： it is Spirit in its pleteness； in its essential nature； i。e。； Freedom。 This
is the fundamental object； and therefore also the leading principle of the development； — that
whereby it receives meaning and importance （as in the Roman history； Rome is the object —
consequently that which directs our consideration of the facts related）； as； conversely； the
phenomena of the process have resulted from this principle alone； and only as referred to it；
possess a sense and value。 There are many considerable periods in History in which this
development seems to have been intermitted； in which we might rather say； the whole enormous
gain of previous culture appears to have been entirely lost； after which； unhappily； a new
mencement has been necessary； made in the hope of recovering — by the assistance of some
remains saved from the wreck of a former civilisation and by dint of a renewed incalculable
expenditure of strength and time； — one of the regions which had been an ancient possession of
that civilisation。 We behold also continued processes of growth； structures and systems of culture
in particular spheres； rich in kind； and well developed in every direction。 The merely formal and
indeterminate view of development in general can neither assign to one form of expansion
superiority over the other； nor render prehensible the object of that decay of older periods of
growth； but must regard such occurrences； — or； to speak more particularly； the retrocessions
they exhibit； — as external contingencies； and can only judge of particular modes of development
from indeterminate points of view； which — since the development as such； is all in all — are
relative and not absolute goals of attainment。
§ 63
Universal History exhibits the gradation in the development of that principle whose substantial
purport is the consciousness of Freedom。 The analysis of the successive grades； in their abstract
form； belongs to Logic； in their concrete aspect to the Philosophy of Spirit。 Here it is sufficient to
state that the first step in the process presents that immersion of Spirit in Nature which has been
already referred to； the second shows it as advancing to the consciousness of its freedom。 But this
initial separation from Nature is imperfect and partial； since it is derived immediately from the
merely natural state； is consequently related to it； and is still encumbered with it as an essentially
connected element。 The third step is the elevation of the soul from this still limited and special form
of freedom to its pure universal form； that state in which the spiritual essence attains the
consciousness and feeling of itself。 These grad