File spoon-archives/bhaskar.archive/bhaskar_2002/bhaskar.0201, message 8


From: "Phil Walden" <phil-AT-pwalden.fsnet.co.uk>
Subject: BHA: RE: A query
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 04:42:16 -0000


Hi Gary,

Funnily enough I can find no reference to the words "bad infinity" in the
original Hegel, though I have seen them in the work of commentators.
However, there is "wrong infinity" in the Wallace translation of the Smaller
Logic (paragraph &94):

"....this infinite only expresses the *ought-to-be* elimination of the
finite.  The progression to infinity never gets further than a statement of
the contradiction involved in the finite, viz. that it is somewhat as well
as somewhat else."

and in the Zusatze - lecture notes - which follow just below Hegel says:

"....We lay down a limit: then we pass it: next we have a limit once more,
and so on for ever.  All this is but superficial alternation, which never
leaves the region of the finite behind."

There is more just below in which Hegel injuncts us to make our
determinations concrete rather than abstract (which he calls "fleeing").

It seems to me that "bad infinity" should be understood as something like
NOT FACING UP TO THE ROOT PROBLEM BY FINDING ANOTHER PROBLEM TO TALK ABOUT
INSTEAD.

Regards,

Phil


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> [mailto:owner-bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu]On Behalf Of Gary
> MacLennan
> Sent: 07 January 2002 01:58
> To: bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
> Subject: BHA: A query
>
>
> Could someone (Mervyn?) explain to me what Hegel meant  by a 'bad
> infinity'?
>
> Please!!
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>      --- from list bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
>



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