From: <JulioHuato-at-aol.com>
Cyril writes:
"Why is this method good for talking about Nature? (b) If it is, why does Hegel not 'use' it when he talks about Nature? As you all know, Hegel is quite sure that there is no development in Nature, and so no dialectic. These only operate in the realm of Spirit, consciousness, etc. Dialectic is the movement from 'in-itself' to 'for-itself'. So rocks, trees and elephants can't have it, because Nature for Hegel is only 'in-itself'. It has no history, only cyclic changes. Its shapes are a series of separate stages, and not a connected sequence in time."
Human consciousness is partially a product of natural evolution. Our DNA has a lot in common with those of elephants (and even trees). At least in that restricted sense, to the extent that natural change leads to human consciousness and history, the overall movement from "in-itself" to "for-itself" (dialectic) encompasses natural evolution.
Julio