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Article
Hegel’s Theory of Measure
Cardozo Law Review
  • David G. Carlson, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Publication Date
1-1-2003
Abstract

The final segment in Hegel's analysis of "being" is measure - the unity of quality and quantity. At stake in these chapters is the difference between quantitative and qualitative change. A being or thing is indifferent to quantitative change, which comes from the outside. For instance, a legislature can increase the stringency of zoning regulations, and yet the legislation is still constitutional "zoning." But there comes a point at which quantitative change effects a qualitative change - zoning becomes an uncompensated "taking" of property. This paper analyzes how Hegel, in the "Science of Logic," derives measure from the categories of quality and quantity, and how essence - the "beyond" of being/appearance is in turn derived. The paper is the third installment on a complete analysis of Hegel's most important (and least read) work - the Science of Logic (1831).

Publisher
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Keywords
  • Georg Hegel,
  • Metaphysics,
  • Jurisprudence
Disciplines
Citation Information
David G. Carlson. "Hegel’s Theory of Measure" Cardozo Law Review Vol. 25 (2003) p. 129
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david_carlson/16/