Section 78
Original German
78 Der Unterschied von Eigenthum und Besitz, der substantiellen und der äußerlichen Seite (§. 45.), wird im Vertrag, zu dem Unterschiede des gemeinsamen Willens als Uebereinkunft, und der Verwirklichung derselben durch die Leistung. Jene zu Stande gekommene Uebereinkunft ist, für sich im Unterschiede von der Leistung, ein Vorgestelltes, welchem daher nach der eigenthümlichen Weise des Daseyns der Vorstellungen in Zeichen, (Encyklop. der philosoph. Wissenschaften §. 379. f.) ein besonderes Daseyn, in dem Ausdrucke der Stipulation durch Förmlichkeiten der Gebehrden und anderer symbolischer Handlungen, insbesondere in bestimmter Erklärung durch die Sprache, dem der geistigen Vorstellung würdigsten Elemente, zu geben ist.
Die Stipulation ist nach dieser Bestimmung zwar die Form, wodurch der im Vertrag abgeschlossene Inhalt als ein erst vorgestellter sein Daseyn hat. Aber das Vorstellen ist nur Form und hat nicht den Sinn, als ob damit der Inhalt noch ein subjectives, so oder so zu wünschendes und zu wollendes sey, sondern der Inhalt ist die durch den Willen vollbrachte Abschließung hierüber.
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.
78 In contract, the distinction between property and possession, between the substantial and the external side (§ 45.), becomes the distinction between the common will as agreement and its actualization through performance. Taken by itself, as distinct from performance, the agreement that has been reached is something represented. In keeping with the distinctive way in which representations have their existence in signs (Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences § 379. f.), it must therefore be given a particular existence in the expression of the stipulation: through formalities of gesture and other symbolic acts, and especially through a definite declaration in language, the element most worthy of spiritual representation.
According to this determination, stipulation is indeed the form through which the content settled in the contract has its existence as something initially only represented. But representation is only a form; it does not mean that the content is still something subjective, to be wished or willed in one way or another. Rather, the content is the settlement on this matter accomplished by the will.
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.
78 The difference between property and possession, between the substantial and the external side (§ 45), becomes, in contract, the difference between the shared will as agreement and its realization through performance. Considered on its own, apart from performance, the agreement that has been reached is something represented in thought. This agreement must therefore, following the distinctive way representations exist in signs (Encyklop. der philosoph. Wissenschaften, § 379 and following), be given a particular existence in the expression of a stipulation: through formal gestures and other symbolic actions, and especially through a definite declaration in language, the element most worthy of spiritual representation.
In this sense, stipulation is indeed the form in which the content settled in the contract exists as something still only represented in thought. But representation is only the form. It does not mean that the content is still something subjective, something to be wished for and willed in one way or another. Rather, the content is the settlement of this matter already accomplished by the will.
About this section
Section 78 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 80 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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