No More Learning

The cause of the empirical condition of this progression --and consequently at what member therein I must stop, and at what point in the regress I am to find
this member --is transcendental, and hence necessarily incog nizable. But with this we have not to do ; our concern is only with the law of progression in experience, in which objects, that phsenomena, are given. matter of indifference,
? whether say-- may in the progress of experience discover stars, at hundred times greater distance than the most distant of those now visible, or--stars at this distance may be met m space, although no one has, or ever will discover them. For, ifthey are given as things in themselves, without any relation to possible experience they are for me non-existent,
are not objects, for they are not contained in the regressive series of experience. But, these phsenomena must be employed in the construction or support of the cos- mological idea of an absolute whole, --and, when we are dis
cussing question that over-steps the limits of possible ex perience the proper distinction of the different theories of
the reality of sensuous objects of great importance, in order to avoid the illusion which must necessarily arise from the
consequently,
misinterpretation
of our empirical conceptions.
THE ANTINOMY OF PURE REASON. Section Seyiktii.
Critical Solution of the Cotmologteal Problem.
The antinomy of pure reason based upon the following dia lectical argument If that which conditioned given, the whole series of its conditions also given but sensuous ob jects are given as conditioned consequently. . . This syllo gism, the major of which seems so natural and evident, intro duces as many cosmological ideas as there are different kinds of conditions in the synthesis of phsenomena, in so far as theae conditions constitute series. These ideas require absolute totality the series, and thus place reason inextricable em
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? 8OLUTIC. N OF THE OOBMOLOGICAX PROBLEM. 311
barrassmem. Before proceeding to expose the fallacy in this dialectical argument, jt will be necessary to have a correct understanding of certain conceptions that appear in it.
In the first place, the following proposition is evident, a>>J
If the conditioned is given, a regress in the series of all its conditions is thereby imperatively required.
indubitably certain :
For the very conception of a conditioned, is a conception of something related to a condition, and, if this condition is itself conditioned, to another condition -- and so on through all the members of the series. This proposition is, therefore, analytical, and has nothing to fear from transcendental criti cism. It is a logical postulate of reason : to pursue, as far as possible, the connection of a conception with its conditions.
If, in the second place, both the conditioned and the con dition are things in themselves, and if the former is given, not only is the regress to the latter requisite, but the latter is really given with the former. Now, as this is true of all the members of the series, the entire series of conditions, and with them the unconditioned is at the same time given in the very fact of the conditioned, the existence of which is possible only in and through that series, being given. In this case,
the synthesis of the conditioned with its condition, is a syn thesis of the understanding merely, which represents things as they are, without regarding whether and how we can cognize them. But if I have to do with phenomena, which, in their character of mere representations, are not given, if I do not attain to a cognition of them (in other words, to themselves, for they are nothing more than empirical cognitions), I am not entitled to say :
? If the conditioned is all its condi given,
tions (as phsenomena) are also given. I cannot, therefore, from the fact of a conditioned being given, infer the absolute totality of the series of its conditions. For phenomena are nothing but an empirical synthesis in apprehension or percep tion, and are therefore given only in it. Now, in speaking of phasnomena, it does not follow, that, if the conditioned is given, the synthesis which constitutes its empirical condition is also thereby given and presupposed ; such a synthesis can be established only by an actual regress in the series of con
ditions. But we are entitled to say in this case : that a regret* te the conditions of a conditioned, in other words, that ? continuous empirical synthesis is enjoined; that, if the condi
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TBAKSCENDENTAIi D1ALSCTI0.
tions are not given, they lire at least required; and that wc are certain to discover the conditions in this regress.
We can now see that the major in the above cosmologies]
syllogism, takes the conditioned in the transcendental
cation which it has in the pore category, while the minor speaks of it in the empirical signification which it has in the category as applied to phenomena. There therefore, dia lectical fallacy in the syllogism-- tophisma figura dictionit. But this fallacy not consciously devised one, but per fectly natural illusion of the common reason of man. For, when thing given as conditioned, we presuppose in tlie major its conditions and their series, unperceived, as were, and unseen because this nothing more than the logical requirement of complete and satisfactory premisses for given conclusion. In this case, time altogether left out in the connection of the conditioned with the condition they are supposed to be given in themselves, and contemporaneously.
moreover, just as natural to regard phenomena (in the minor) as things in themselves and as objects presented to the
pure understanding, as in the major, in which complete ab straction was made of all conditions of intuition. But under these conditions alone that objects are given. Now we overlooked remarkable distinction between the conceptions. The synthesis of the conditioned with it. i condition, and the complete series of the latter (in the major) are not limited time, and do not contain the conception of succession. On the contrary, the empirical synthesis, and the series of con ditions in the phenomeual world -- subsumed in the minor -- are necessarily successive, and given in time alone. follows that cannot presuppose in the minor, as did in the major, the absolute totality of the synthesis and of the series therein represented for in the major all the members of the series are given as things in themselves --without any limitations or conditions of time, while in the minor they are possible only in and through successive regress, which cannot exist, ex
cept phenomena.
be actually carried into execution in the world
After this proof of the viciousness of the argument com monly employed in maintaining cosmological assertions, both parties may now be justly dismissed, as advancing claims without grounds or title. But the propess has not been
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? SOLUTION Of TUX COSIIOLOGIOAL PROBLEM. 3] 3
ended, by convincing them that one or both were in the wrong, and had maintained an assertion which was without valid grounds of proof. Nothing seems to be clearer than that, if one maintains : the world has a beginning, and ano ther : the world has no beginning, one of the two must be right. But it is likewise clear, that, if the evidence on both sides is equal, it is impossible to discover on what side the truth lies ; and the controversy oontinucs, although the par ties have been recommended to peace before the tribunal of reason. There remains, then, no other means of settling the question than to convince the parties, who refute each other with such conclusiveness and ability, that they are disputing about nothing, and that a transcendental illusion has been mocking them with visions of reality where there is none. This mode of adjusting a dispute which cannot he decided upon its own merits, we shall uuw proceed to lay before our readers.
Zeno of Elea, a subtle dialectician, was severely reprimanded by Plato as a sophist, who, merely from the base motive of exhibiting his skill in discussion, maintained and subverted the same proposition by arguments as powerful and convinc ing on the one side as on the other. He maintained, for ex ample, that God (who was probably nothing more, in his view, than the world,) is neither finite nor infinite, neither in mo tion nor in rest, neither similar nor dissimilar to any other thing. It seemed to those philosophers who criticised his mode of discussion, that his purpose was to deny completely both of two self-contradictory propositions--which is absurd. But I cannot believe that there is any justice in this accusa tion. The first of these propositions I shall presently con sider in a more detailed manner. With regard to the others, if by the word God he understood merely the Univerte, his meaning must have been, that it cannot be permanently pre sent in one place -- that is, at rest, nor be capable of changing its place-- that of moving, because all places are in the universe, and the universe itself therefore, in no place. Again, the universe contains in itself everything that exists, it cannot be similar or dissimilar to any other thing, becauM
? here it, fact, no other thing with wh>h can be compared.
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? TliANSCENDElfTAL DIALECTIC.
If two opposite judgments presuppose a contingent impot. ? ible, or arbitrary condition, both --in spite of their opposition
however, not properly or really contradiction',-- fall away because the condition, which insured the validity of both, has itself disappeared.
(which
If we say every body has either good or bad smell, we have omitted third possible judgment-- has no' smell at ali ana thus both conflicting statements may be false.
we say either good-smelling or not good-smelling (vel ruateolens vel non-tuaveolens), both judgments are contra dictorily opposed and the contradictory opposite of the former judgment -- some bodies are not good-smelling -- em braces also those bodies which have no smell at all. In the preceding pair of opposed judgments (per disparatd), the contingent condition of the conception of body (smell) at tached to both conflicting statements, instead of having betn omitted in the latter, which consequently not the contra dictory opposite of the former.
accordingly, we say the world either infinite in ex tension, or not infinite (non est injinitus) and --the former proposition false, its contradictory opposite the world not infinite, must be true. And thus should deny the existence of an infinite, without, however, affirming the existence of finite world. But we construct our propo sition thus --the world either infinite or finite (noninfinite), both statements may be false. For, in this case, we cons' der the world as per se determined in regard to quantity, and while, in the one judgment, we deny its infinite and conse quently, perhaps, its independent existence in the other, we append to the world, regarded as thing in itself, certain determination --that of finitude and the latter may be false as well as the former, the world not given as thing itself, and thus neither as finite nor as infinite in quantity. This kind of opposition may be allowed to term dialectical that of contradictories may be called analytical opposition. Thus then, of two dialectically opposed judgments both may be false, from the fact, that the one not mere contradic tory of the other, but actually enounces more than requisite for full and complete contradiction.
When we regard the two propositions Quantity, nrti, the -worl;l finite
? --
quantity, as contra
the world infinite
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? SOLUTION OF THE COSMOLOGICAL THOBLEM. SIS dictory opposites, we are assuming that the world -- the com
plete series of phenomena -- is a thing in itself. For
mains as a permanent quantity, whether I deny the infinite or the finite regress in the series of its phenomena. But if we dismiss this assumption --this transcendental illusion, and deny that it is a thing in itself, the contradictory opposition is metamorphosed into a merely dialectical one ; and the world, as not existing in itself--independently af the regressive series of my representations, exists in like manner neither as a whole which is infinite nor as a whole which is finite in itself. The universe exists for me only in the empirical re gress of the series of phenomena, and not per te. If, then, it is always conditioned, it is never given completely or as a whole ; and it therefore, not an unconditioned whole, and does not exist as such, either with an infinite, or with finite quantity. --
What we have here said of the first cosmological idea that of the absolute totality of quantity in phenomena, applies also to the others. The series of conditions discoverable only in the regressive synthesis itself, and not in the phe nomenon considered as a thing in itself--given prior to all re
gress. Hence am compelled to say the aggregate of parts in given phenomenon in itself neither finite nor infinite;
and these parts are given only in the regressive synthesis of decomposition -- synthesis which never given in absolute compUtencu, either as finite, or as infinite. The same the case with the series of subordinated causes, or of the con ditioned up to the unconditioned and necessary existence, which can never be regarded as in itself, and in its totality, either as finite or as infinite because, as series of subor
dinate representations, subsists only in the dynamical re gress, and cannot be regarded as existing previously to this regress, or as self-subsistent series of things.
Thus the antinomy of pure reason in its cosmological ideas disappears. For the above demonstration has established the tact that merely the product of dialectical and illusory opposition, which arises from the application of the idea absolute totality --admissible only as condition of things in themselves, to phenomena, which exist only in our repre sentations, and -- when constituting series -- in succes sive regress. This antinomy of reason may, however, be
tally profitable to our srv"c<ilative interests, not the way of
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contributing any dogmatical addition, but as presenting to im another material support in our critical investigations. For it furnishes us with an indirect proof of the transcendental ideality of phenomena, if our minds were not completely satisfied with the direct proof set forth in the Transcendental . /Esthetic. The proof would proceed in the following di lemma. If the world is a whole existing in itself, it must be either finite or infinite. But it is neither finite nor infinite -- as has been shown, on the one side, by the thesis, on the other, by the antithesis. Therefore the world -- the content of all phenomena -- is not a whole existing in itself. It fol lows that phenomena are nothing, apart from our representa tions. And this is what we mean by transcendental ideality.
? This remark is of some importance. It enables us to see that the proofs of the fourfold antinomy are not mere sophis tries --are not fallacious, but grounded on the nature of rea son, and valid -- under the supposition that phenomena are things in themselves. The opposition of the judgments which follow make it evident that a fallacy lay in the initial suppo sition, and thus helps us to discover the true constitution of objects of sense. This transcendental dialectic does not fa vour scepticism, although it presents us with a triumphant demonstration of the advantages of the sceptical method, the great utility of which is apparent in the antinomy, where the arguments of reason were allowed to confront each other in undiminished force. And although the result of these con
flicts of reason is not what we expected --although we have ob tained no positive dogmatical addition to metaphysical science, we have still reaped a great advantage in the correction of our
judgments on these subjects of thought.
ANTINOMY OF PURE REASON. Section Eighth.
Regulative Principle of Pure Reason in relation to the Cos- mological Ideas.
The cosmological principle of totality could not give us any certain knowledge in regard to the maximum in the series ol conditions in the world of sense, considered as a thing in itself. The actual regress in the series is the only means of
? ? ? REGUULTIYE PRIWOIPI. E Ot PUBB BEABOH. 317
approaching this maximum. This principle of pure reason, therefore, may still be considered as valid --not as an axiom enabling us to cogitate totality in the object as actual, but as
% problem for the understanding, which requires it to institute and to continue, in conformity with the idea of totality in the mind, the regress in the series of the conditions of a giveu conditioned. For in the world of sense, that is, in space and time, every condition which we discover in our investigation of phenomena is itself conditioned ; because sensuous objects are not things in themselves (in which case an absolutely un conditioned might be reached in the progress of cognition), but are merely empirical representations, the conditions of which must always be found in intuition. -- The principle of reason is therefore properly a mere rule prescribing a re gress in the series of conditions for given phenomena, and prohibiting any pause or rest on an absolutely unconditioned. It is, therefore, not a principle of the possibility of experience or of the empirical cognition of sensuous objects -- consequently not a principle of the understanding ; for every experience is confined within certain proper limits determined by the given iutuition. Still less is it a constitutive principle of reason authorising us to extend our conception of the sensuous world beyond all possible experience. It is merely a prin ciple for the enlargement and extension of experience as far as is possible for human faculties. It forbids us to consider any empirical limits as absolute. It hence, principle of reason, which, as rule, dictates how we ought to proceed in our empirical regress, but unable to anticipate or indicate prior to the empirical regress what given in the object self. have termed for this reason regulative principle of reason while the principle of the absolute totality of the aeries of conditions, as existing in itself and given in the ob
constitutive cosmological principle. This distinction will at once demonstrate the falsehood of the constitutive principle, and prevent us from attributing (by transcen dental subreptio) objective reality to an idea, which valid only as rule.
In order to understand the proper meaning of this rule of pure reason, we must notice first, that cannot tell us what the object is, but only how the empirical regress to be pni- teeded with order to attain to the complete conception
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? 318 tBANSC? NDEHTAL DIALECTIC.
the object. If it gave ua any information in respect to the former statement, it would be a constitutive principle -- a prin ciple impossible from the nature of pure reason. It will not therefore enable us to establish an) such conclusions as--the aeries of conditions for a given conditioned is in itself finite, or, it is infinite. For, in this case, we should be cogitating in the mere idea of absolute totality, an object which is not and cannot be given in experience ; inasmuch as we should be attributing a reality objective and independent of the em pirical synthesis, to a series of phenomena. This idea of reason cannot then be regarded as valid --except as a rule for the regressive synthesis in the series of conditions, according to which we must proceed from the conditioned, through all intermediate and subordinate conditions, up to the uncondi tioned ; although this goal is unattained and unattainable. For the absolutely unconditioned cannot be discovered in the sphere of experience.
We now proceed to determine clearly our notion of a synthesis which can never be complete. There are two terms commonly employed for this purpose. These terms are regarded as expressions
able notions, although the ground of the distinction has never been clearly exposed. The term employed by the mathematicians, is progressus in infinitum. The philosophers prefer the expression progressus in indefinitum. Without detaining the reader with an examination of the reasons for such a distinction, or with remarks on the right or wrong use of the terms, I shall endeavour clearly to determine these conceptions, so far as is necessary for the purpose of this Critique.
We may, with propriety, say of a straight line, that it may be produced to infinity. In this case the distinction between a^? ro-
yressus in infinitum and a progresses in indefinitum is a mere pieceof subtlety. For, although when we say, produce a straight line --it is more correct to say in indefinitum than in infinitum ; because the former means, produce it as far as you please, the second, you must not cease to produce it ; the expression in infi
? when we are speaking of the power to do perfectly for we can always make longer we please -- on to And this remark holds good all cases, when wa
nitum
correct,
infinity.
speak of progressus, that an advancement from the coo-
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? ? ? GULATXT? PUINCIPLE OF SVB? lUiASOK. 319
dition to the conditioned ; this possible advancement always proceeds to infinity. We may proceed from n given pair in the descending line of generation from father to son, and cogitate a never-ending line of descendants from it. For in such a case reason does not demand absolute totality in the series, because it does not presuppose it as a condition and as given (datum), but merely as conditioned, and as capable of
being given (dabile). -- Very different is the case with the problem
how far the regress, which ascends from the given conditioned to the conditions, must extend ; whether 1 can say -- it is a regrets
in infinitum, or only in indefinitum ; and whether, for example, setting out from the human beings at present alive in the world, I may ascend in the series of their ancestors, in infinitum --or whether all that can be said that so far as have pro ceeded, have discovered no empirical ground for considering the series limited, so that am justified, and indeed, compelled to search for ancestors still further back, although am not
the idea of reason to presuppose them.
My answer to this question If the series given in empirical intuition as whole, the regress in the series of its internal conditions proceeds in infinitum but, only one member of the series given, from which the regress to proceed to absolute totally, the regress possible only in
indefinitum. For example, the division of portion of matter given within certain limits -- of body, that --proceeds
For, as the condition of this whole its part, and the condition of the part part of the part, and so on, a. :d as in this regress of decomposition an unconditioned indivi sible member of the series of conditions not to be found there are no reasons or grounds in experience for stopping the division, but, on the contrary, the more remote members of the division are actually and empirically given prior to this division:' That to say, the division proceeds to infinity. On the other hand, the series of ancestors of any given human
not given, in its absolute totality, in any experience and yet the regress proceeds from every genealogical member of this series to one still higher, and does not meet with any empirical limit presenting an absolutely unconditioned, member of the series. But as the members of such series are not contained in the empirical intuition of the whole, prior to th<<
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this regress does not proceed to infinity, but Ofllj in indefinitum, that we are called upon to discover other and higher members, which are themselves always conditioned. --
finite or infinite for nothing itself; but, How the empirical regress to be commenced, and how far ought we lo proceed with And here signal distinction in the ap plication of this rule becomes apparent. If the whole
regress,
the regressus in infinitum, nor the regres the series of conditions to be considered
In neither case
sus in indefinitum,
as actually infinite in the object itself. This might be true of things in themselves, but cannot be asserted of pbsenomena, which, as conditions of each other, are only given in the em pirical regress itself. Hence, the question no longer-- What the quantity of this series of conditions in itself
? to recede in the series of its internal conditions to infinity. But the whole not given, aud can only be given by and through the empirical regress,
given empirically, possible
can only say-- possible to infinity to proceed to still higher conditions in the eeries. In the first case am justi fied in asserting that more members are empirically given in the object than attain to in the regress (of decomposition). In the second case, am justified only in saying, that can always proceed further in the regress, because no member of the series given as absolutely conditioned, and thus
higher member possible, and an inquiry with regard to neces
sary. In the one case necessary to find other members of the series, in the other necessary to inquire for others, inasmuch as experience presents no absolute limitation of the regress. For, either you do not possess perception which absolutely limits your empirical regress, and in this case the regress cannot be regarded as complete or, you do possess such limitative perception, in which case not part of your series (for that which limits must be distinct from that which limited it), and incumbent on you to continue your regress up to this condition, and so ou.
These remarks will be placed in their proper light theii application in the following section.
Kant's meaning Infinity, in the first case, quality, or raij be predicated, of the rtgrtts while in the second case, only Ix predicated of the souibilUy of the regress. -- Tr.
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321
ANTINOMY OF PURE REASON.
Section Ninth.
Of the Empirical Use of the Regulative Principle of Reaou with regard to the Cosmological Ideas.
We have shown that no transcendental use can be made either
of the conceptions of reason or of understanding. We have shown, likewise, that the demand of absolute totality in the series of conditions in the world of sense arises from a transcendental employment of reason, resting on the opinion that phenomena are to be regarded as things in themselves. Tt follows that we are not required to answer the question re specting the absolute quantity of a series -- whether it is in itself limited or unlimited. We are only called upon to de
I ermine how far we must proceed in the empirical regress from condition to condition, in order to discover, in confor mity with the rule of reason, a full and correct answer to the questions proposed by reason itself.
This pnnciple of reason is hence valid only as a rule for the extension of a possible experience --its invalidity as a principle constitutive of phenomena in themselves having been suffi ciently demonstrated. And thus, too, the antmomial conflict 'if reason with itself is completely put an end to ; inasmuch hs we have not only presented a critical solution of the fallacy lurking in the opposite statements of reason, but have shown the true meaning of the ideas which gave rise to these state ments. The dialectical principle of reason has, therefore, been changed into a doctrinal principle. But in fact, if this principle, in the subjective signification which we have shown to be its only true sense, may be guaranteed as a principle of the unceasing extension of the employment of our un
? its influence and value are just as great as if :t were an axiom for the a priori determination of objects. For such an axiom could not exert a stronger influence on the extension and rectification of our knowledge, otherwise than by Droning for the principles of the understanding the most widely expanded employment in the field of experience.
derstanding,
? ? ? 322 TKANBOJCTDEKTAX DIALECTIC.
I.
Idea of the Totality of tkt Composition of Phenomena in the Universe.
Solution of the Cotmological
Here, as well as in the case of the other cosmologies! problems, the ground of the regulative principle of reason is the proposition, that in our empirical regress no experience of an absolute limit, and consequently no experience of a con dition, which is itself absolutely unconditioned, is discover able. And the truth of this proposition itself rests upon the consideration, that such an experience must represent to us phsenomena as limited by nothing or the mere void, on which our continued regress by means of perception must abut -- which is impossible.
Now this proposition, which declares that every condition attained in the empirical regress must itself be considered em pirically conditioned, contains the rule in lerminis, which re quires me, to whatever extent I may have proceeded in the ascending series, always to look for some higher member in the series -- whether this member is to become known to me through experience, or noi.
Nothing further is necessary, then, tor the solution of the first cosmological problem, than to decide, whether, in the re gress to the unconditioned quantity of the universe (as re gards space and time), this never limited ascent ought to be called a regressus in infinitum or in indefinitum.
The general representation which we form in our minds of the series of all past states or conditions of the world, or of all the things which at present exist in it, is itself nothing more than a possible empirical regress, which is cogitated -- although in an undetermined manner--in the mind, and which gives rise to the conception of a series of conditions for a given object. * Now I have a conception of the universe, but not an intuition -- that not an intuition of as whole. Thus cannot infer the magnitude of the regress from the
* The cosmical scries can neither be greater nor smaller than the pos sible empirical regress, upon which its conception based. And as this regress cannot be determinate infinite regress, still less determinate finite (absolutely limited), evident, that we cannot regard the world as either finite or infinite, because the regress which gives us the rt ;. re- Mntatior of the <<. . '. ld i<< uthla'r finite 'ior itiltuilc.
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? IDEA OF TOTALITY OK COMT08ITIO1T.
323
quantity or magnitude of the world, and determine the former by means of the latter ; on the contrary, I must first of all form a conception of the quantity or magnitude of the world from the magnitude of the empirical regress. But of this regress I know nothing more, than that I ought to pro ceed from every given member of the series of conditions to one still higher. But the quantity of the universe is not thereby determined, and we cannot affirm that this regress proceeds in infinitum. Such an affirmation would anticipate the members- of the series which have not yet been reached,
and represent the number of them as beyond the grasp of any empirical synthesis ; it would consequently determine the cosmical quantity prior to the regress (although only in * negative manner) --which is impossible. For the world is not given in its totality in any intuition ; consequently, its quan tity cannot be given prior to the regress. It follows that we are unable to make any declaration respecting the cosmical quantity in itself--not even that the regress in it is a regress in infinitum ; we must only endeavour to attain to a conception of the quantity of the universe, in conformity with the rule which determines the empirical regress in it. But this rule merely requires us never to admit an absolute limit to our series --how far soever we may have proceeded in but always, on the contrary, to subordinate every phenomenon to some other as its condition, and consequently to proceed to this higher phsenomenon. Such regress therefore, the regretius in indtfinitum, which, as not determining quantity in the object, clearly distinguishable from the regreseus in infinitum.
follows from what we have said that we are not justified declaring the world to be infinite in space, or as regards
past time. For this conception of an infinite given quantity empirical but we cannot apply the conception of an infinite quantity to the world as an object of the senses. cannot say, the regress from given perception to every thing limited
either this presupposes an infinite cosmical quantity neither can aay, finite -- for an absolute limit likewise impossible in experience. follows that am not entitled to make any assertion at all respecting the whole object of experience -- the world of sense must limit my declarations to the rule, accord ing to which experience or empirical knowledge to be attained.
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To the question, therefore, respecting the cosmical
tity, the first and negative answer is : The world has no be ginning in time, and no absolute limit in space.
For, in the contrary case, it would be limited by a void time on the one hand, and by a void space on the other. Now, since the world, as a phenomenon, cannot be thus limited in itself -- for a phenomenon is not a thing in itself; it must be possible for us to have a perception of this limita tion by a void time and a void space. But such a perception --such an experience is impossible ; because it has no content. Consequently, an absolute cosmical limit is empirically, and therefore absolutely, impossible. *
From this follows the affirmative answer : The regress in
the series of phsenomena --as a determination of the cosmical
quantity, proceeds in indef. nitum. This is equivalent to sny- ing--the world of sense has no absolute quantity, but the
series -- as conditioned, to one still more remote (whether
through personal experience, or by means of history, or the chain of cause and effect), and not to erase at any point in this extension of the possible empirical employment of the
And this is the proper and only use which renson can make of its principles.
The above rule does not prescribe an unceasing regress in one kind of phenomena. It does not, for example, forbid us, in our ascent from an individual human being through the line of his ancestors, to expect that we shall discover at some point of the regress a primeval pair, or to admit, in the series of heavenly bodies, a sun at the farthest possible distance from some centre. All that it demands is a perpetual pro gress from phenomena to phsenomena, even although an
* The reader will remark that the proof presented above is very dif ferent from the dogmatical demonstration given in the antithesis of the first antinomy. In that demonstration, it was taken for granted that the world is a thing in itself-- given in its totality prior to all regress, and ? determined position in space and time was denied to it--if it was not
considered as occupying all time and all space. Hence our conclusion differed from that given above ; for we inferred in the antithesis the ac tual infinity of the world.
understanding.
qnatt-
? empirical regress (through which alone the world of sense is presented to us on the side of its conditions) rests upon a rule, which requires it to proceed from every member of the
? ? ? IDEA 0? TOTALITY OF DIVTSIOS. 325
actnal perception is not presented by them (as in the case of our perceptions being so wenk, as tliat we are unable to be come conscious of them), since they, nevertheless, belong to possible experience.
Every beginning is m time, and all limits to extension are in space. But space and time are in the world of sense. Con sequently phenomena in the world are conditionally limited, but the world itself is not limited, either conditionally or un
conditionally.
For this reason, and because neither the world nor the
cosmical series of conditions to a given conditioned can be completely given, our conception of the cosmical quantity
is given only in and through the regress and not prior to it--- in a collective intuition. But the regress itself is really nothing more than the determining of the cosmical quantity, and can not therefore give us any determined conception of it -- still less a conception of a quantity which in relation to* certain standard, infinite. The regress does not, therefore, proceed to infinity (an infinity given), but only to an indefinite extent, for the purpose of presenting to us quantity -- realized only
and through the regress itself.
II.
Solution of the Cosmologieal Idea of the Totality the Division of Whole given in Intuition.
ceed from conditioned to its conditions. The division of the parts of the whole (subdivisio or decompositio) regress
the series of these conditions. The absolute totality of this series would be actually attained and given to the mind, the regress could arrive at simple parts. But all the parts iu continuous decomposition are themselves divisible, the division, that to say, the regress, proceeds from the conditioned to its conditions in infinitum because the conditions (the parts) are themselves contained in the conditioned, and, as the latter
given in limited intuition, the former are all given along with it. This regress cannot, therefore, be called regretsus indrftnitum, as happened the case of the preceding cos- Bjologicf! Mii, the regress which proceeded from the con-
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ditioned to the conditions not given contemporaneously and along with but discoverable only through the empirical repress. We are net, however, entitled to affirm of whole of this kind, which divisible in infinitum, that consists
an infinite number ofparts. For, although all the parts are contained in the intuition of the whole, the whole division not contained therein. The division contained only in the progressing decomposition --in the regress itself, which the condition of the possibility and actuality of the series. Now, ns this regress infinite, all the members (parts) to which attains must be contained in the given whole as an aggregate. but the complete series of division not contained therein. For this series, being infinite in succession and always incom plete, cannot represent an infinite number of members, and still less composition of these members into whole.
To apply this remark to space. Every limited part of space presented to intuition whole, the parts of which are always spaces --to whatever extent subdivided. Every limited space
hence divisible to infinity.
Let us again apply the remark to an external phenomenou enclosed in limits, that body. The divisibility of body rests upon the divisibility of space, which the condition of the possibility of the body as an extended whole. body
? divisible to infinity, though does not, for that reason, consist of an infinite number of parts.
It certainly seems that, as body must be cogitated as substance in space, the law of divisibility would not be appli cable to as substance. For we may and ought to grant, in the case of space, that division or decomposition, to any extent, never can utterly annihilate composition (that to say, the smallest part of space must still consist of spaces) otherwise space would entirely cease to exist -- which im
tiia pure category. Phenomenal substance not an absolute
consequently
But, the assertion on the other hand, that when all
possible.
composition in matter annihilated in thought, nothing re mains, does not seem to harmonise with the conception of substance, which must be properly the subject of all compo sition and must remain, even after the conjunction of its attri butes in space--which constituted body -- annihilated in thought. But this not the case with substance in the p'uenomenal world, which not thing in itself cogitated by
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lubject ; it is merely a permanent sensuous image, and nothing more than an intuition, in which the unconditioned is not to be found.
But, although this rule of progress to infinity is legitimate and applicable to the subdivision of a phenomenon, as a mere occupation or filling of space, it is not applicable to a whole con sisting of a number of distinct parts and constituting a quantum discretum --that is to say, an organised body. It cannot be admitted that every part in an organised whole is itself organ ised, and that, in analysing it to infinity, we must always meet with organised parts ; although we may allow that the parts of the matter which we decompose in infinitum, may be organised. For the infinity of the division of a phenomenon in space rests altogether on the fact that the divisibility of a phse nomenon is given only in and through this infinity, that is an undetermined number of parts is given, while the parts them selves are given and determined only in and through the sub division ; in a word, the infinity of the division necessarily pre supposes that the whole is not already divided in te. Hence our division determines a number of parts in the whole --a number which extends just as far as the actual regress in the division; while, on the other hand, the very notion of a body orgauised to infinity represents the whole as already and in itself divided. We expect, therefore, to find in it a determinate, but, at the same time, infinite, number of parts -- which is self-contradic tory. For we should thus have a whole containing a series of members which could not be completed in any regress --which is infinite, and at the same time complete in an organised composite. Infinite divisibility is applicable only to a quantum continuum, and is based entirely on the infinite divisibility of space. But in a quantum discretum the multi tude of parts or units is always determined, and hence always equal to some number. To what extent a body may be or ganized, experience alone can inform us ; and although, so far as onr experience of this or that body has extended, we may not have discovered any inorganic part, such parts must exist in possible experience. But how far the transcendental division of a phenomenon must extend, we cannot know from experience --it is a question which experience cannot answer; it is answered only by the principle of reason which forbid*
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us to consider the empirical regress, in the analysis of extended oody, as ever absolutely complete.
Concluding Remark on the Solution of the Transcendental Mathematical Idea*--and Introductory to the Solution of the Dynamical Ideas.
We presented the antinomy of pure reason in a tabular form, and we endeavoured to show the ground of this self-contra diction on the part of reason, and the only means of bringing it to a conclusion -- namely, by declaring both contradictory statements to be false. We represented in these antinomies the conditions of phenomena as belonging to the conditioned according to relations of space and time--which is the usual supposition of the common understanding. In this respect, all dialectical representations of totality, in the series of con ditions to a given conditioned, were perfectly homogeneous. The condition was always a member of the series along with the conditioned, and thus the homogeneity of the whole series was assured. In this case the regress could never be cogitated as complete ; or, if this was the case, a member really con ditioned was falsely regarded as a primal member, conse quently as unconditioned. In such an antinomy, therefore, we did not consider the object, that the conditioned, but the series of conditions belonging to the object, and the magni tude of thafcseries. And thus arose the difficulty -- difficulty not to be settled by any decision regarding the claims of the two parties, but simply cutting the knot-- declaring the series proposed reason to be either too long or too short for the understanding, which could in neither case make its con ceptions adequate with the ideas.
But we have overlooked, up to this point, an essential dif ference existing between the conceptions of the understanding which reason endeavours to raise to the rank of ideas -- two of these indicating mathematical, and two dynamical synthesis of phenomena. Hitherto, was not necessary to signalize this distinction for, just as in our general representation of all transcendental ideas, we considered them under phenomenal conditions, so, the two mathematical ideas, our discussion
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? MATHEMATICAL AND DYNAMICAL IDEAS. 329
it concerned solely with an object ia the world of phenomena.
But as we are now about to proceed to the consideration of
the dynamical conceptions of the understanding, and their adequateness with ideas, we must not lose sight of this dis tinction. We shall find that it opens up to us an entirely new view of the conflict in which reason is involved. For, while in the first two antinomies, both parties were dismissed, on the ground of having advanced statements based upon false hypotheses ; in the present case the hope appears of discover ing a hypothesis which may be consistent with the demands of reason, and, the judge completing the statement of the grounds of claim, which both parties had left in an unsatis factory state, the question may be settled on its own merits, not by dismissing the claimants, but by a comparison of the arguments on both sides. --If we consider merely their exten sion, and whether they are adequate with ideas, the series of conditions may be regarded as all homogeneous. But the conception of the understanding which lies at the basis of these ideas, contains either a synthesis of the homogeneous, (presup posed in every quantity -- in its composition as well as in its division) or of the heterogeneous, which is the case in the dynamical synthesis of cause and effect, as well as of the necessary and the contingent.
Thus it happens, that in the mathematical series of pheno mena no other than a sensuous condition is admissible --a condition which is itself a member of the series ; while the dynamical series of sensuous conditions admits a heterogeneous condition, which is not a member of the series, but, as purely intelligible, lies out of and beyond it. And thus reason is satisfied, and an unconditioned placed at the head of the series of phenomena, without introducing confusion into or discon tinuing contrary to the principles of the understanding.
Now, from the fact that the dynamical ideas admit con dition of phenomena which does not form part of the series of phenomena, arises result which we should not have ex pected from an antinomy. In former cases, the result was that both contradictory dialectical statements were declared to be false. In the present case, we find the conditioned the dynamical series connected with an empirically unconditioned, but non-sensuous condition and thus satisfaction done to the understanding on the one hand and tc th^ reason on the
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other. * While, moreover, the dialectical arguments for ut> conditioned totality in mere phenomeni fall to the ground, both propositions of reason may be shown to be true in their proper signification. This could not happen in the case of the cosmological ideas which demanded a mathematically un conditioned unity ; for no condition could be placed at the head of the series of phenomena, except one which was itself a phsenomenon, and consequently a member of the series.
III.
Solution of the Cosmological Idea of the Totality of the De duction of Cosmical Events from their Causes.
There are only two modes of causality cogitable --the caus ality of nature, or of freedom. The first is the conjunction of a particular state with another preceding it in the world of sense, the former following the latter by virtue of a law. Now, as the causality of pheuomena is subject to conditions of time, and the preceding state, if it had always existed, could not have produced an effect which would make its first appearance at a particular time, the causality of a cause must itself be an effect -- must itself have begun to be, and therefore, according to the principle of the understanding, itself requires a cause.
We must understand, on the contrary, by the term freedom,
in the cosmological sense, a faculty of the spontaneous origin ation of a state ; the causality of which, therefore, is not sub ordinated to another cause determining it in time. Freedom is in this sense a pure transcendental idea, which, in the first place, contains no empirical element ; the object of which, in the second place, cannot be given or determined in any expe rience, because it is a universal law of the very possibility of experience, that everything which happens' must have a cause, that consequently the causality of a cause, being itself some thing that has happened, must also have a cause. In this view
* For the understanding cannot admit among phenomena a condition which is itself empirically unconditioned. Bui if it is possible to cogitate an intelligible condition --one which is not a member of the series of phe nomena--for a conditioned phenomenon, without breaking the series of empirical conditions, such a condition may be admissible as empirically mcondiltoned, and the empirical regress continue regular, unceasing, anal inlact.
? ? ? ? IDEA OF TOTALITY OF DEDUCTION.
331
of the case, the whole field of experience, how far soever it may extend, contains nothing that is not subject to the laws cf nature. But, as we cannot by this means attain to an ab solute totality of conditions in reference to the series of causes and effects, reason creates the idea of a spontaneity, which can begin to act of itself, and without any external cause determining it to action, according to the natural law of causality.
It is especially remarkable that the practical conception of freedom is based upon the transcendental idea, and that the question of the possibility of the former is difficult only as it involves the consideration of the truth of the latter. Free- dom,jn^he_graslical tense, is the independence of the will of coercion by sensuous impulses. A will is sensuous, in so far as it is pathologically affected (by sensuous impulses) ; it is termed animal (arbitrium brutum), when it is pathologically necessitated. The human will is certainly an arbitrium sensi- twum, not brutum, but liberum ; because sensuousness does not necessitate its action, a faculty existing in man of self- determination, independently of all sensuous coercion.
? ' It is plain, that, if all causality in the world of sense were
natural --and natural only, every event would be determined
by another according to necessary laws, and that consequently, phenomena, in so far as they determine the will, must neces sitate every action as a natural effect from themselves ; and thus all practical freedom would fall to the ground with the transcendental idea. For the latter presupposes that, although a certain thing has not happened, it ought to have happened, and that, consequently, its phenomenaPcause was not so powerful and determinative as to exclude the causality of our will -- a causality capable of producing effects independently of and even in opposition to the power of natural causes, and capable, consequently, of spontaneously originating a series of events.
Here, too, we find it to be the case, as we generally found in the self-contradictions and perplexities of a reason which strives to pass the bounds of possible experience, that the pro blem ! b properly not physiological,* but transcendental. The question of the possibility of freedom does indeed concern psychology; but, as it rests upon dialectical arguments of
* Probably so error of the press, and that we >>ho"ld read ptytk*
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pure reason, its solution must engage the attention of trans cendental philosophy.