Section 134
Original German
134 Weil das Handeln für sich einen besondern Inhalt und bestimmten Zweck erfordert, das Abstractum der Pflicht aber noch keinen solchen enthält, so entsteht die Frage: was ist Pflicht? Für diese Bestimmung ist, zunächst noch nichts vorhanden, als dieß: Recht zu thun und für das Wohl, sein eigenes Wohl und das Wohl in allgemeiner Bestimmung, das Wohl Anderer, zu sorgen. (s. §. 119.)
Musean translation
Machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from Hegel's German in the Berlin Nicolai first edition, dated 1821. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360, including the author's remarks and notes; no later Gans additions.
134 Because action in itself requires a particular content and a determinate purpose, while the abstraction of duty contains none, the question arises: what is duty? For this determination nothing is at first available except this: to do right and to care for welfare, one's own welfare and welfare in its universal determination, the welfare of others. (See § 119.)
Plain English translation
Independent machine-assisted Plain English translation made directly from the German first-edition source, not from the Musean edition or an existing English translation. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360 with the author's remarks and notes.
134 Acting needs a particular content and a definite purpose, but the abstraction of duty contains none. So the question arises: what is duty? For answering it, nothing is yet available except this: to do right, and to look after well-being, one's own well-being and, in its general sense, the well-being of others. (See § 119.)
About this section
Section 134 is part of Elements of the Philosophy of Right by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. This page sets the German original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 136 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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