登陆注册
5198000000046

第46章

The categories of the second class (those of causality and of the necessity of a thing) did not require this homogeneity (of the conditioned and the condition in synthesis), since here what we have to explain is not how the intuition is compounded from a manifold in it, but only how the existence of the conditioned object corresponding to it is added to the existence of the condition (added, namely, in the understanding as connected therewith); and in that case it was allowable to suppose in the supersensible world the unconditioned antecedent to the altogether conditioned in the world of sense (both as regards the causal connection and the contingent existence of things themselves), although this unconditioned remained indeterminate, and to make the synthesis transcendent.Hence, it was found in the Dialectic of the Pure Speculative Reason that the two apparently opposite methods of obtaining for the conditioned the unconditioned were not really contradictory, e.g., in the synthesis of causality to conceive for the conditioned in the series of causes and effects of the sensible world, a causality which has no sensible condition, and that the same action which, as belonging to the world of sense, is always sensibly conditioned, that is, mechanically necessary, yet at the same time may be derived from a causality not sensibly conditioned- being the causality of the acting being as belonging to the supersensible world- and may consequently be conceived as free.Now, the only point in question was to change this may be into is; that is, that we should be able to show in an actual case, as it were by a fact, that certain actions imply such a causality (namely, the intellectual, sensibly unconditioned), whether they are actual or only commanded, that is, objectively necessary in a practical sense.We could not hope to find this connections in actions actually given in experience as events of the sensible world, since causality with freedom must always be sought outside the world of sense in the world of intelligence.But things of sense of sense in the world of intelligence.But things of sense are the only things offered to our perception and observation.Hence, nothing remained but to find an incontestable objective principle of causality which excludes all sensible conditions: that is, a principle in which reason does not appeal further to something else as a determining ground of its causality, but contains this determining ground itself by means of that principle, and in which therefore it is itself as pure reason practical.Now, this principle had not to be searched for or discovered; it had long been in the reason of all men, and incorporated in their nature, and is the principle of morality.

Therefore, that unconditioned causality, with the faculty of it, namely, freedom, is no longer merely indefinitely and problematically thought (this speculative reason could prove to be feasible), but is even as regards the law of its causality definitely and assertorially known; and with it the fact that a being (I myself), belonging to the world of sense, belongs also to the supersensible world, this is also positively known, and thus the reality of the supersensible world is established and in practical respects definitely given, and this definiteness, which for theoretical purposes would be transcendent, is for practical purposes immanent.We could not, however, make a similar step as regards the second dynamical idea, namely, that of a necessary being.We could not rise to it from the sensible world without the aid of the first dynamical idea.For if we attempted to do so, we should have ventured to leave at a bound all that is given to us, and to leap to that of which nothing is given us that can help us to effect the connection of such a supersensible being with the world of sense (since the necessary being would have to be known as given outside ourselves).On the other hand, it is now obvious that this connection is quite possible in relation to our own subject, inasmuch as I know myself to be on the one side as an intelligible [supersensible] being determined by the moral law (by means of freedom), and on the other side as acting in the world of sense.It is the concept of freedom alone that enables us to find the unconditioned and intelligible for the conditioned and sensible without going out of ourselves.For it is our own reason that by means of the supreme and unconditional practical law knows that itself and the being that is conscious of this law (our own person) belong to the pure world of understanding, and moreover defines the manner in which, as such, it can be active.In this way it can be understood why in the whole faculty of reason it is the practical reason only that can help us to pass beyond the world of sense and give us knowledge of a supersensible order and connection, which, however, for this very reason cannot be extended further than is necessary for pure practical purposes.

Let me be permitted on this occasion to make one more remark, namely, that every step that we make with pure reason, even in the practical sphere where no attention is paid to subtle speculation, nevertheless accords with all the material points of the Critique of the Theoretical Reason as closely and directly as if each step had been thought out with deliberate purpose to establish this confirmation.Such a thorough agreement, wholly unsought for and quite obvious (as anyone can convince himself, if he will only carry moral inquiries up to their principles), between the most important proposition of practical reason and the often seemingly too subtle and needless remarks of the Critique of the Speculative Reason, occasions surprise and astonishment, and confirms the maxim already recognized and praised by others, namely, that in every scientific inquiry we should pursue our way steadily with all possible exactness and frankness, without caring for any objections that may be raised from outside its sphere, but, as far as we can, to carry out our inquiry truthfully and completely by itself.Frequent observation has convinced me that, when such researches are concluded, that which in one part of them appeared to me very questionable, considered in relation to other extraneous doctrines, when I left this doubtfulness out of sight for a time and only attended to the business in hand until it was completed, at last was unexpectedly found to agree perfectly with what had been discovered separately without the least regard to those doctrines, and without any partiality or prejudice for them.Authors would save themselves many errors and much labour lost (because spent on a delusion) if they could only resolve to go to work with more frankness.

同类推荐
  • 侍帝晨东华上佐司命杨君传记

    侍帝晨东华上佐司命杨君传记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 离峰老人集

    离峰老人集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 南田画跋

    南田画跋

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 幽闲鼓吹

    幽闲鼓吹

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 缅国纪略

    缅国纪略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 我不卑微:美少女蝴蝶狗的故事

    我不卑微:美少女蝴蝶狗的故事

    本书为日记体式的散文随笔集,主要讲述了作者一家收留了一条外形似蝴蝶犬的流浪狗。在养狗的七年时间里,狗给作者家人来带了欢乐,让家人之间有了更多的交流时间,让儿子不再沉迷于网络游戏,从狗狗身上领悟了更多人生哲理,发现了狗狗是个伟大的母亲,并敬佩于大自然赋予它们的顽强的生存之道。
  • 我是游戏中的一只小怪

    我是游戏中的一只小怪

    我是一只小怪,一只被施加了魔咒,玩家不屑一顾的一级小怪,在被无数次的蹂躏之后,终于开窍了......。小怪的逆袭之路,从一只弱小如蚂蚁的1级小怪变成一只屌炸天的小怪---物。
  • 金刚秘密善门陀罗尼经

    金刚秘密善门陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 文化创意产业前沿:对话:启迪与反思

    文化创意产业前沿:对话:启迪与反思

    文化大发展大繁荣是适应当今世界发展潮流的战略选择。在创意经济时代,文化与经济和政治的相互交融、相互推动,更是达到了前所未有的广度和深度,文化在综合国力竞争中的地位和作用越来越突出。新时期文化的多重价值和意义,需要我们深入研究,全面认识,进而增强发展文化的自觉性,提高发展文化的真本领。因此,发展和繁荣文化建设要求我们树立正确的文化价值观。
  • 天才的幽默与智慧

    天才的幽默与智慧

    一个人的幽默感是与其人的文化、知识、才气、智慧、经验、应变能力、表达技巧分不开的。人类历史上的杰出人物几乎都是著名的幽默大师。例如:哲学幽默大师苏格拉底,政治幽默大师第十六届美国总统林肯,科学幽默大师爱因斯坦,小说幽默大师马克·吐温,表演幽默大师卓别林,喜剧幽默大师萧伯纳等。笔者编译本书的宗旨,就在于以上述诸位大师的幽默片段为主体,展示人类历史上众多天才人物的幽默大观,以期读者能受到启迪、得到教益和欣赏乐趣三方面的效果。
  • 这样说话最有效

    这样说话最有效

    本书为你提供了大量生动具体的生活场景和精彩案例,可以提高你在这些方面的能力。
  • 校草来袭,神经丫头有点甜

    校草来袭,神经丫头有点甜

    本以为校园生活会温和多彩,谁知道一不小心惹上大魔王,每逢下课便有一群人指着她喊:“勾引顾少,死!”某人欲哭无泪:麻烦顾家的后援团团长出来我们谈谈……你们不能因为喜欢顾言洛就冤枉我啊,明明是他缠着我好吗!!让我好好的当个小哑巴有那么难吗!“叶未眠,就因为你我的心丢了,你得对我负责!”“不负!滚!”
  • The Georgics

    The Georgics

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 历史的尘埃

    历史的尘埃

    在历史的天空下,不管你爱与不爱都只是其中的尘埃。无论是谁,所能把握的不过也只是自己而已。
  • 总裁的复仇妻

    总裁的复仇妻

    是谁说贫贱夫妻百事哀?是谁患难夫妻永不散?当凉薄的尖刀捅破婚姻那片薄膜,同枕了五年的老公,居然是一个人面兽心的恶魔,一切不过是他精心策划的阴谋而已。“我已经向法院递交了离婚申请书”“是吗?”男人森冷一笑,嘴角的冰冷的痕迹扩深。“整个H市,没人敢接你的离婚申请,想离婚,没门”他吐出幽寒的语句,令女人的心坠入冰窖。“此生,不管是上天堂,还是下地狱,我们都耗定了。”因为,他会踩着她纤柔的身体一步步入权利的最高峰。闻言,她心魂俱裂,娇柔的身子沿着门板无助地滑落……*揽着儿子冰凉的身躯,那一刻,她的世界就此失去颜色心的温度骤然降成了零点,嫩唇血花飘染之时也是她柔软破碎的灵魂灰飞烟灭之际,情已逝,心已死。她毅然化身妖精,手忍利箭……世界就此天下大乱