he activity of the Spirit of Peoples； so that the
individual forms which that spirit has assumed in the sphere of outward reality； might be left to the
delineation of special histories。
§ 75
The same kind of formalism avails itself in its peculiar manner of the indefiniteness attaching to
genius； poetry； and even philosophy； thinks equally that it finds these everywhere。 We have here
products of reflective thought； and it is familiarity with those general conceptions which single out
and name real distinctions without fathoming the true depth of the matter； — that we call Culture。 It
is something merely formal； inasmuch as it aims at nothing more than the analysis of the subject；
whatever it be； into its constituent parts； and the prehension of these in their logical definitions
and forms。 It is not the free universality of conception necessary for making an abstract principle
the object of consciousness。 Such a consciousness of Thought itself； and of its forms isolated from
a particular object； is Philosophy。 This has； indeed； the condition of its existence in culture； that
condition being the taking up of the object of thought； and at the same time clothing it with the
form of universality； in such a way that the material content and the form given by the intellect are
held in an inseparable state； — inseparable to such a degree that the object in question …which； by
the analysis of one conception into a multitude of conceptions； is enlarged to an incalculable
treasure of thought — is regarded as a merely empirical datum in whose formation thought has bad
no share。
§ 76
But it is quite as much an act of Thought — of the Understand