Knowledge, according to Hegel, begins with logic, the subject of which is pure being, although logic is always “mediated” in history, so that we do not see or experience logic in its pure form, but have to infer it from relations among events. Past philosophy represents different forms of consciousness that have progressed toward absolute knowledge or philosophical science. The progression of consciousness occurs because different forms of consciousness are contradictory and their inner dialectic resolves the contradictions via the emergence of new forms. This dialectic is not a dialogue between consciousnesses, but the inner development of what consciousness is conscious of. Hegel is able to chronicle this development of consciousness toward absolute knowledge, because it is presumed to be attained through his philosophical work.