ortant。 But in a State many institutions must be adopted； much political machinery invented；
acpanied by appropriate political arrangements； — necessitating long struggles of the
understanding before what is really appropriate can be discovered； — involving； moreover；
contentions with private interest and passions； and a tedious discipline of these latter； in order to
bring about the desired harmony。 The epoch when a State attains this harmonious condition；
marks the period of its bloom； its virtue； its vigour； and its prosperity。 But the history of mankind
does not begin with a conscious aim of any kind； as it is the case with the particular circles into
which men form themselves of set purpose。 The mere social instinct implies a conscious purpose
of security for life and property； and when society has been constituted； this purpose bees
more prehensive。 The History of the World begins with its general aim — the realisation of the
Idea of Spirit — only in an implicit form （an sich） that is； as Nature； a hidden； most profoundly
hidden； unconscious instinct； and the whole process of History （as already observed）； is directed
to rendering this unconscious impulse a conscious one。 Thus appearing in the form of merely
natural existence； natural will — that which has been called the subjective side； — physical craving；
instinct； passion； private interest； as also opinion and subjective conception； — spontaneously
present themselves at the very mencement。 This vast congeries of volitions； interests and
activities； constitute the instruments and means of the World…Spirit for attaining its object； bringing
it to consciousness； and realising it。 And this aim is