THE UNITY OF IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE AS THE ...

striving of matter for unity as a “mere should,” thus recognizing the difference between
the unity with itself that forms that telos of matter and matter as it exists in its actual
state. Here again we see the difference between the “particular constitution” and the
“purpose” of a thing. This difference determines the striving of the thing, the striving to
make the particular constitution conform to the purpose.
We have already noted that terms like “true” and “good” describe the degree to
which the thing instantiates its purpose or telos. In this passage Hegel uses the term
“free” in a similar sense. He describes the achievement of the telos – the unity of matter
with itself – as freedom. Freedom consists in the achievement of the being’s telos by
overcoming the forces or recalcitrant material that oppose the telos. Matter can never be
completely free because it cannot overcome its self-externality and achieve the unity that
it seeks in the force of gravity. With regards to Hegel’s use of the term “free” in this
context, two things should be carefully noted. First, Hegel closely associates truth,
goodness, and freedom. In fact, at this point at least, it seems that he uses these terms
interchangeably. Second, Hegel uses the term “free” to describe certain basic structures
that can already be found in the most basic physical phenomena. The categories that
describe human freedom are more complex than those needed to describe the “freedom”
of matter. However, these more complex categories simply develop the same basic
features that can already be found in matter itself. Any interpretation of the Philosophy
of Right should carefully attend to these two points.
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