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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 it； Religion must be brought into it … buckets and bushels as it were … and impressed upon
people's hearts。 It is quite true that men must be trained to religion； but not as to something whose
existence has yet to begin。 For in affirming that the State is based on Religion … that it has its roots
in it … we virtually assert that the former has proceeded from the latter； and that this derivation is
going on now and will always continue； i。e。； the principles of the State must be regarded as valid in
and for themselves； which can only be in so far as they are recognised as determinate
manifestations of the Divine Nature。 The form of Religion； therefore； decides that of the State and
its constitution。 The latter actually originated in the particular religion adopted by the nation； so
that； in fact； the Athenian or the Roman State was possible only in connection with the specific
form of Heathenism existing among the respective peoples； just as a Catholic State has a spirit and
constitution different from that of a Protestant one。
§ 54
If that outcry … that urging and striving for the implantation of Religion in the munity … were an
utterance of anguish and a call for help； as it often seems to be； expressing the danger of religion
having vanished； or being about to vanish entirely from the State； … that would be fearful indeed …
worse in fact than this outcry supposes； for it implies the belief in a resource against the evil； viz。；
the implantation and inculcation of religion； whereas religion is by no means a thing to be so
produced； its self…production （and there can be no other） lies much deeper。
§ 55
Another and opposite folly which we meet with in our time is that of pretending to invent and carry
out political constitutions independently of religion。 The Catholic confession； although sharing the
Christian name with the Protestant； does not concede to the State an inherent Justice and
Morality； … a concession which in the Protestant principle is fundamental。 This tearing away of the
political morality of the Constitution from its natural connection； is necessary to the genius of that
religion； inasmuch as it does not recognise Justice and Morality as independent and substantial。
But thus excluded from intrinsic worth； … torn away from their last refuge … the sanctuary of
conscience … the calm retreat where religion has its abode； … the principles and institutions of
political legislation are destitute of a real centre； to the same decree as they are pelled to
remain abstract and indefinite。
§ 56
Summing up what has been said of the State； we find that we have been led to call its vital
principle； as actuating the individuals who pose it； … Morality。 The State； its laws； its
arrangements； constitute the rights of its members； its natural features； its mountains； air； and
waters； are their country； their fatherland； their outward material property； the history of this
State； their deeds； what their ancestors have produced； belongs to them and lives in their
memory。 All is their possession； just as they are possessed by it； for it constitutes their existence；
their being。
§ 57
Their imagination is occupied with the ideas thus presented； while the adoption of these laws； and
of a fatherland so conditioned is the expression of their will。 It is this matured totality which thus
constitutes one Being； the spirit of one People。 To it the individual members belong； each unit is
the Son of his Nation； and at the same time … in as far as the State to which he belongs is
undergoing development … the Son of his Age。 None remains behind it； still less advances beyond
it。 This spiritual Being （the Spirit of his Time） is his； he is a representative of it； it is that in which he
originated； and in which he lives。 Among the Athenians the word Athens had a double import；
suggesting primarily； a plex of Political institutions； but no less； in