however, is only posited as a negation. Reflection proceeds, indeed, to advance a claim to posite the finite as infinite, but it has been shown that this claim must only be in relation to the affirmative; that is to say, in observation the finite is made infinite, although it still remains, and is firmly retained, as finite. And yet at the same time the demand is made that the finite shall be abrogated.
Now, however, that the finite and the standpoint of reflection have annulled themselves, we have reached the standpoint of infinite observation and of the speculative Notion, namely, the sphere in which the true notion or conception of religion will unfold itself before us.
3. The Speculative Notion or Conception of Religion.
Reason is the region in which alone religion can be at home. The fundamental conception here is the affirmative attitude of consciousness which is only possible as negation of negation, as the self-abrogation of the determinations of the antithesis, which are taken by Reflection as persistent. The basis of religion is in so far this rational, or to speak more precisely, this speculative element. Religion, however, is not merely something so abstract; it is not merely such an affirmative attitude towards the Universal, as it is at present defined to be. If it were only this, all further content would be found to be outside of religion, would come in to it from without; or if the content did actually exist, this would imply that there existed yet another reality outside of religion.
The standpoint of religion is this, that the True, to which consciousness relates itself, has all content in itself, and consequently this condition of relation is what is highest of all in it, is its absolute standpoint.
Reflection is that form of mental activity which establishes the antitheses, and which goes from the one to the other, but without effecting their combination and
