Definition
Aufhebung
Aufhebung (sublation) is the central operation of Hegelian dialectics in which a form passes through its negation and is simultaneously cancelled, preserved, and elevated into a higher unity.
The three senses of the German verb aufheben correspond to the three aspects of the operation:
- Cancellation — the contradiction negates the inadequate form as it stood.
- Preservation — what was true in the negated form is retained.
- Elevation — the result is a richer, more adequate form that unifies the opposed moments.