This chapter shows that Hegel’s discussion of cognition in his Logic fits his previous conclusions on teleology. I argue first that both cognising and acting are analysed by Hegel as processes that have an inner purpose. I, then, explain what Hegel calls being alive ‘for itself’. For being alive for itself, Hegel requires that a concept be realised in a medium that is itself of an ideal, inner purposive character. The objectification of teleology in a purposive element, one that sustains its own existence, is the source of an ‘imperishable life’, as Hegel puts it –the life of a concept qua concept. The upshot of my entire discussion is that Hegel’s Science of Logic succeeds in making sense of the idea that an objective activity can be the accomplished realisation of a purpose and, indeed, of a purpose for itself.

We provide evidence that both ‘first nature’ and ‘second nature’ geography matter for long-run growth. This is complemented with two new case studies on Japan and European regions over the entire twentieth century, which allow us to sharpen our focus on the role of geography, given that institutional and cultural differences within countries will be more limited than across countries. Both case studies suggest that second nature geography is essential. In the last decades, metropolitan regions around the capital cities grew faster, while others, including many former industrial regions, started to fall behind. On a global level, this is mirrored in an increasing role for market access. This evidence ties into Baldwin’s idea of the two ‘unbundlings’ of production since 1800.