Teleology, Delay, and the "Old Mole"

Abstract

A OLE: A SMALL FURRY MAMML, virtually blind, with strong forefeet for burrowing iVls through earth. Not first thing that would come to mind when seeking an analogy for spirit of world history. But is what Hegel, philosopher of spirit, lights upon. For him, spirit advancing dialectically through historical time toward freedom of full consciousness is like tunneling through earth toward open light. Like an mole, to be precise, for it has been burrowing toward light for the whole history of world, by Hegel's calculation in History of Philosophy, good twenty-five hundred years: All this time was required to produce philosophy of our day.1 For entire course of history, spirit has been going ever and on in its striving to know itself, advancing slowly but surely through hard dialectical struggle toward its end.2 As it approaches latest and final stretch of history, it picks up momentum in its eagerness to attain its goal of absolute consciousness, accelerating from a snail's pace to stride of magical seven league boots.3 In this newly energetic mode (new youth), embodies Zeitgeist, or spirit of times. The mole is then both Weltgeist and Zeitgeist, seasoned spirit running through all world history and more vigorous spirit driving time of which present is extremist pointthe time of modern. Hegel concludes his History of Philosophy by exhorting readers to follow spirit of times by grasping the that is within [as it] forces its way into light of day.4 The mole's tunneling, then, illustrates what Hegel calls great day's work of [the] Spirit, progress of world history, its strenuous drive forward toward its end of self-determining freedom.5 Hegel is not first, of course, to have called spirit mole. Hamnlet did so more than two centuries before Hegel. Well said, old mole (1.5.170),6 Hamlet says to spirit of his father after it has slipped back underground, interred once again, time allotted him to roam above now up. And from that subterranean region, he four times repeats Hamnlet's injunction to his companions to swear to secrecy. What makes it necessary for Hamnlet to repeat oath is that spirit is directly beneath swearers. Its demonic presence underground, in theatrical pit representing underworld, threatens to countervail, it seems, oath taken above that ground holy cross of sword.7 Thus as men quickly shift ground above, spirit just as quickly removes to same spot below. Well said, old mole, comments Hamlet, and commends him for his progress, Canst work i'th'