Nebenformale

Nebenformale refers to a concept in German and Austrian philosophy, particularly in the context of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's dialectical method. The term roughly translates to "non-formal," "sideways," or " auxiliary" in English. It is used to describe an aspect of reality or a way of thinking that exists alongside the main or primary form.

Hegel employed the concept of Nebenformale in his discussion on the relationship between sense certainty and understanding. He argued that when we experience the world, our consciousness is initially limited to sense certainty, which provides a direct and immediate perception of reality. However, this sense certainty is soon transformed into understanding, which is a higher level of awareness that incorporates and sublates the initial form.

In this context, Nebenformale refers to the auxiliary or intermediate stage that precedes understanding. It represents a transitional phase where the initial form is overcome and a new, higher level of awareness is emergent. Hegel's use of Nebenformale highlights the dynamic and developmental nature of reality, where consciousness progresses from a lower level of awareness to a higher one through a process of dialectical movement.

The concept of Nebenformale has implications for various areas of philosophy, including epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind. It provides insight into the nature of knowledge, reality, and consciousness, and has influenced many philosophers and thinkers in the German and Austrian philosophical traditions.