How did Hegel describe philosophical understanding as a matter of degree?

In the context of Hegelian philosophy, the premise that philosophical understanding is a matter of degree is rooted in his view of the dialectical process, through which consciousness evolves toward "absolute knowledge."12

Hegel described this development as a movement through various "shapes of consciousness," tracing a path from simple "sense certainty" and "perception" to higher stages such as "reason," "spirit," and finally "absolute knowing." In this progression, understanding is not static; rather, it is a dynamic, historical process where the mind gradually emancipates itself from partial, limited perspectives.1234

Each stage represents a degree of development where the mind encounters its own limitations or contradictions, which then necessitates a transition to a broader, more comprehensive view. This process continues until consciousness reaches the plane of unconditional truth, where it recognizes itself as Absolute Spirit. Thus, for Hegel, philosophical understanding is a matter of degree because it is the unfolding of the World Spirit, where each stage of human culture—from art and religion to philosophy—serves as a necessary step in the spirit’s self-discovery and realization of the whole.53124