Reason and Language

Abstract

The question of the relationship between reason as absolute reflection and language will be raised here in a twofold manner. First, it will be asked what meaning and role are accorded to language by that philosophy which sees its task in the realization of absolute reflection; second, it will be asked what significance of language lies for us in this determination of the role of language. By way of preparing an answer to this question, certain remarks of Hegel on the “speculative sentence” and on “speculative presentation” will be rendered in context, so that they reveal a continuity of sense. The interpretation which accompanies and follows these remarks is intended to develop the theme “Hegel and language” which has been posed by Karl Löwith, and which has also been treated by others.¹