Formal

Formal designates the abstract, contentless form. Formal possibility is mere freedom from contradiction (conceivable, but without real conditions). The formal law is an external rule without inner necessity. Formal identity is empty tautology (A=A). The charge "merely formal" means, in Hegel, without concrete content, external. Formal logic (Aristotle) treats forms of thought without content. Hegel's logic aims to be full of content—to unite form and content.