Quantity in Hegel

Abstract

The present article has the purpose of explaining what the quantity in Hegel means, and also the crucial importance of the contradiction and the identity of the metaphysics with the logic, showing for this, the critic of Hegel the Kantian antinomies. It explains how the passage from quality to quantity occurs, which means Being-for-itself, which is also a Being-to-Other, and that the boundary between them is indifferent and without determination, therefore this indifference is called amount. After explaining what is the pure quantity, identifying and explaining its two moments: continuity and discretion. These magnitudes are pointed out by Hegel, in order to presuppose the quantum, that is, the quantity with limit. The quantum is characterized, showing its differentiations as number and degree. Finally, it shows that Hegel introduces his discussions on the contradiction from the Kantian antinomies, since Kant puts for each antinomy a contradiction. However, Hegel criticizes them as a consequence of the irresolution that Kant shows on the unity of opposites, because each of which, isolated in itself is null, so there is no determination. In addition, Kant converts the antinomies into something only subjective, thus objectively irresolute. Kant did not value the contradiction and neglected that each concept presents its truth in the contradictory.