This it can do because it is complete in itself, and is essentially self-conscious reason. Both stages owe their existence to the activity of reason.
Reason promulgates laws, and criticizes, tests the validity of, the laws.
It is absolute being, for that universality is the bare self-identity of being. Its object is likewise taken to be the truth, for it combines self-consciousness and being in a single unity. It is the real object inherently as object, for it contains and involves the distinction which consciousness implies. What is thus given immediately must likewise be accepted and regarded as immediate. Every one ought to speak the truth.