the+critique+of+pure+reason_纯粹理性批判-第39节
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quantity; and yet there does belong to it a quantity (and that by
means of its apprehension; in which empirical consciousness can within
a certain time rise from nothing = 0 up to its given amount);
consequently an intensive quantity。 And thus we must ascribe intensive
quantity; that is; a degree of influence on sense to all objects of
perception; in so far as this perception contains sensation。
All cognition; by means of which I am enabled to cognize and
determine a priori what belongs to empirical cognition; may be
called an anticipation; and without doubt this is the sense in which
Epicurus employed his expression prholepsis。 But as there is in
phenomena something which is never cognized a priori; which on this
account constitutes the proper difference between pure and empirical
cognition; that is to say; sensation (as the matter of perception); it
follows; that sensation is just that element in cognition which cannot
be at all anticipated。 On the other hand; we might very well term
the pure determinations in space and time; as well in regard to figure
as to quantity; anticipations of phenomena; because they represent a
priori that which may always be given a posteriori in experience。
But suppose that in every sensation; as sensation in general;
without any particular sensation being thought of; there existed
something which could be cognized a priori; this would deserve to be
called anticipation in a special sense… special; because it may seem
surprising to forestall experience; in that which concerns the
matter of experience; and which we can only derive from itself。 Yet
such really is the case here。
Apprehension; by means of sensation alone; fills only one moment;
that is; if I do not take into consideration a succession of many
sensations。 As that in the phenomenon; the apprehension of which is
not a successive synthesis advancing from parts to an entire
representation; sensation has therefore no extensive quantity; the
want of sensation in a moment of time would represent it as empty;
consequently = O。 That which in the empirical intuition corresponds to
sensation is reality (realitas phaenomenon); that which corresponds to
the absence of it; negation = O。 Now every sensation is capable of a
diminution; so that it can decrease; and thus gradually disappear。
Therefore; between reality in a phenomenon and negation; there
exists a continuous concatenation of many possible intermediate
sensations; the difference of which from each other is always
smaller than that between the given sensation and zero; or plete
negation。 That is to say; the real in a phenomenon has always a
quantity; which however is not discoverable in apprehension;
inasmuch as apprehension take place by means of mere sensation in
one instant; and not by the successive synthesis of many sensations;
and therefore does not progress from parts to the whole。 Consequently;
it has a quantity; but not an extensive quantity。
Now that quantity which is apprehended only as unity; and in which
plurality can be represented only by approximation to negation = O;
I term intensive quantity。 Consequently; reality in a phenomenon has
intensive quantity; that is; a degree。 if we consider this reality
as cause (be it of sensation or of another reality in the
phenomenon; for example; a change); we call the degree of reality in
its character of cause a momentum; for example; the momentum of
weight; and for this reason; that the degree only indicates that
quantity the apprehension of which is not successive; but
instantaneous。 This; however; I touch upon only in passing; for with
causality I have at present nothing to do。
Accordingly; every sensation; consequently every reality in
phenomena; however small it may be; has a degree; that is; an
intensive quantity; which may always be lessened; and between
reality and negation there exists a continuous connection of
possible realities; and possible smaller perceptions。 Every colour…
for example; red… has a degree; which; be it ever so small; is never
the smallest; and so is it always with heat; the momentum of weight;
etc。
This property of quantities; according to which no part of them is
the smallest possible (no part simple); is called their continuity。
Space and time are quanta continua; because no part of them can be
given; without enclosing it within boundaries (points and moments);
consequently; this given part is itself a space or a time。 Space;
therefore; consists only of spaces; and time of times。 Points and
moments are only boundaries; that is; the mere places or positions
of their limitation。 But places always presuppose intuitions which are
to limit or determine them; and we cannot conceive either space or
time posed of constituent parts which are given before space or
time。 Such quantities may also be called flowing; because synthesis
(of the productive imagination) in the production of these
quantities is a progression in time; the continuity of which we are
accustomed to indicate by the expression flowing。
All phenomena; then; are continuous quantities; in respect both to
intuition and mere perception (sensation; and with it reality)。 In the
former case they are extensive quantities; in the latter; intensive。
When the synthesis of the manifold of a phenomenon is interrupted;
there results merely an aggregate of several phenomena; and not
properly a phenomenon as a quantity; which is not produced by the mere
continuation of the productive synthesis of a certain kind; but by the
repetition of a synthesis always ceasing。 For example; if I call
thirteen dollars a sum or quantity of money; I employ the term quite
correctly; inasmuch as I understand by thirteen dollars the value of a
mark in standard silver; which is; to be sure; a continuous
quantity; in which no part is the smallest; but every part might
constitute a piece of money; which would contain material for still
smaller pieces。 If; however; by the words thirteen dollars I
understand so many coins (be their value in silver what it may); it
would be quite erroneous to use the expression a quantity of
dollars; on the contrary; I must call them aggregate; that is; a
number of coins。 And as in every number we must have unity as the
foundation; so a phenomenon taken as unity is a quantity; and as
such always a continuous quantity (quantum continuum)。
Now; seeing all phenomena; whether considered as extensive or
intensive; are continuous quantities; the proposition: 〃All change
(transition of a thing from one state into another) is continuous;〃
might be proved here easily; and with mathematical evidence; were it
not that the causality of a change lies; entirely beyond the bounds of
a transcendental philosophy; and presupposes empirical principles。 For
of the possibility of a cause which changes the condition of things;
that is; which determines them to the contrary to a certain given
state; the understanding gives us a priori no knowledge; not merely
because it has no insight into the possibility of it (for such insight
is absent in several a priori cognitions); but because the notion of
change concerns only certain determinations of phenomena; which
experience alone can acquaint us with; while their cause lies in the
unchangeable。 But seeing that we have nothing which we could here
employ but the pure fundamental conceptions of all possible
experience; among which of course nothing empirical can be admitted;
we dare not; without injuring the unity of our system; anticipate
general physical science; which is built upon certain fundamental
experiences。
Nevertheless; we are in no want of proofs of the great influence
which the principle above developed exercises in the anticipation of
perceptions; and even in supplying the want of them; so far as to
shield us against the false conclusions which otherwise we might
rashly draw。
If all reality in perception has a degree; between which and
negation there is an endless sequence of ever smaller degrees; and if;
nevertheless; every sense must have a determinate degree of
receptivity for sensations; no perception; and consequently no
experience is possible; which can prove; either immediately or
mediately; an entire absence of all reality in a phenomenon; in
other words; it is impossible ever to draw from experience a proof
of the existence of empty space or of empty time。 For in the first
place; an entire absence of reality in a sensuous intuition cannot
of course be an object of perception; secondly; such absence cannot be
deduced from the contemplation of any single phenomenon; and the
difference of the degrees in its reality; nor ought it ever to be
admitted in explanation of any phenomenon。 For if even the plete
intuition of a determinate space or time is thoroughly real; that
is; if no part thereof is empty; yet because every reality has its
degree; which; with the extensive quantity of the phenomenon
unchanged; can diminish through endless gradations down to nothing
(the void); there must be infinitely graduated degrees; with which
space or time is filled; and the intensive quantity in different
phenomena may be smaller or greater; although the extensive quantity
of the intuit