8 MATHES1S. 



38. All realization, therefore, is not the origin of a 

 something that has not previously been ; it is only a 

 manifestation, a process of extension taking place in the 

 idea. 



Thus the Real does not arise out of the Ideal, but is 

 the Ideal itself in a condition of definition and limitation, 

 as are, e. g. the actual triangle or the actual circle. 

 If, then, the Ideal and Real be one, everything is necessa- 

 rily identical, and this identity dominates not merely 

 between the Ideal and Real in a general sense, but 

 between all individual members of the Real. 



39. The identity of every Manifold, or of all things 

 among themselves and with the highest unity, is the 

 essence of things. The limitation or definition of the 

 Ideal is their form. Limitation is the Impartient of form. 



40. Limitation is originally only a quantitative rela- 

 tion, e. g. the size of the angle in a triangle ; later on it 

 becomes also a relation of direction or of position. 



In both cases the limitation is only an ideal relation. 

 Realization also takes place, therefore, only in an ideal 

 manner ; and the Real is therefore ideal, not simply as it 

 regards its form, but also its essence. Every Plural re- 

 sembles itself and the highest principle in essence ; or, in 

 other words, all Singulars are united through essence 

 with the highest One. All diversity of the Plural resides 

 merely in the form, limitation or manifestation. The one 

 unchanging essence possesses one ideal form, which is 

 that of pure unity, and the same essence has a limitation, 

 a real form, which is that of subdivision. There is only 

 one essence in all things, the 0, the highest identity ; 

 but there are infinitely numerous forms. 



Numbers are naught else than different forms of the 

 one unchangeable essence, namely, the 0. 



If, then, all numbers are only zero in a state of extension, and are conse- 

 quently identical with it, the question arises, what are the first finitings of 

 zero, or as what does it appear when it is no longer merely ideal or indefi- 

 nite ; in short, what is the first form of the real zero, or of the essence in 

 general ? 



