Life

Primarily designates the **concrete biological phenomenon** (plants, animals), as Hegel treats it in his **philosophy of nature** (Enc. §337-376). This is to be strictly distinguished from the **idea of life**, which designates the **abstract logical structure** of self-organization (the S³ processes), applicable also to non-biological systems (theories, institutions, etc.). This commentary primarily treats the **idea of life**. The methodological importance of this distinction (logic vs. philosophy of nature) is elaborated in detail in **Ch. 19.5**. For the logical structure, see therefore: **Idea of Life**.