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its authority over the empirical cognition of objects。 The
systematic connection which reason gives to the empirical employment
of the understanding not only advances the extension of that
employment； but ensures its correctness； and thus the principle of a
systematic unity of this nature is also objective； although only in an
indefinite respect （principium vagum）。 It is not； however； a
constitutive principle； determining an object to which it directly
relates； it is merely a regulative principle or maxim； advancing and
strengthening the empirical exercise of reason； by the opening up of
new paths of which the understanding is ignorant； while it never
conflicts with the laws of its exercise in the sphere of experience。
But reason cannot cogitate this systematic unity； without at the
same time cogitating an object of the idea… an object that cannot be
presented in any experience； which contains no concrete example of a
complete systematic unity。 This being （ens rationis ratiocinatae） is
therefore a mere idea and is not assumed to be a thing which is real
absolutely and in itself。 On the contrary； it forms merely the
problematical foundation of the connection which the mind introduces
among the phenomena of the sensuous world。 We look upon this
connection； in the light of the above…mentioned idea； as if it drew
its origin from the supposed being which corresponds to the idea。
And yet all we aim at is the possession of this idea as a secure
foundation for the systematic unity of experience… a unity
indispensable to reason； advantageous to the understanding； and
promotive of the interests of empirical cognition。
We mistake the true meaning of this idea when we regard it as an
enouncement； or even as a hypothetical declaration of the existence of
a real thing； which we are to regard as the origin or ground of a
systematic constitution of the universe。 On the contrary； it is left
completely undetermined what the nature or properties of this
so…called ground may be。 The idea is merely to be adopted as a point
of view； from which this unity； so essential to reason and so
beneficial to the understanding； may be regarded as radiating。 In
one word； this transcendental thing is merely the schema of a
regulative principle； by means of which Reason； so far as in her lies；
extends the dominion of systematic unity over the whole sphere of
experience。
The first object of an idea of this kind is the ego； considered
merely as a thinking nature or soul。 If I wish to investigate the
properties of a thinking being； I must interrogate experience。 But I
find that I can apply none of the categories to this object； the
schema of these categories； which is the condition of their
application； being given only in sensuous intuition。 But I cannot thus
attain to the cognition of a systematic unity of all the phenomena
of the internal sense。 Instead； therefore； of an empirical
conception of what the soul really is； reason takes the conception
of the empirical unity of all thought； and； by cogitating this unity
as unconditioned and primitive； constructs the rational conception
or idea of a simple substance which is in itself unchangeable；
possessing personal identity； and in connection with other real things
external to it； in one word； it constructs the idea of a simple
self…subsistent intelligence。 But the real aim of reason in this
procedure is the attainment of principles of systematic unity for
the explanation of the phenomena of the soul。 That is； reason
desires to be able to represent all the determinations of the internal
sense as existing in one subject； all powers as deduced from one
fundamental power； all changes as mere varieties in the condition of a
being which is permanent and always the same； and all phenomena in
space as entirely different in their nature from the procedure of
thought。 Essential simplicity （with the other attributes predicated of
the ego） is regarded as the mere schema of this regulative
principle； it is not assumed that it is the actual ground of the
properties of the soul。 For these properties may rest upon quite
different grounds； of which we are completely ignorant； just as the
above predicates could not give us any knowledge of the soul as it
is in itself； even if we regarded them as valid in respect of it；
inasmuch as they constitute a mere idea； which cannot be represented
in concreto。 Nothing but good can result from a psychological idea
of this kind； if we only take proper care not to consider it as more
than an idea； that is； if we regard it as valid merely in relation
to the employment of reason； in the sphere of the phenomena of the
soul。 Under the guidance of this idea； or principle； no empirical laws
of corporeal phenomena are called in to explain that which is a
phenomenon of the internal sense alone； no windy hypotheses of the
generation； annihilation； and palingenesis of souls are admitted。 Thus
the consideration of this object of the internal sense is kept pure；
and unmixed with heterogeneous elements； while the investigation of
reason aims at reducing all the grounds of explanation employed in
this sphere of knowledge to a single principle。 All this is best
effected； nay； cannot be effected otherwise than by means of such a
schema； which requires us to regard this ideal thing as an actual
existence。 The psychological idea is； therefore； meaningless and
inapplicable； except as the schema of a regulative conception。 For； if
I ask whether the soul is not really of a spiritual nature… it is a
question which has no meaning。 From such a conception has been
abstracted； not merely all corporeal nature； but all nature； that
is； all the predicates of a possible experience； and consequently； all
the conditions which enable us to cogitate an object to this
conception have disappeared。 But； if these conditions are absent； it
is evident that the conception is meaningless。
The second regulative idea of speculative reason is the conception
of the universe。 For nature is properly the only object presented to
us； in regard to which reason requires regulative principles。 Nature
is twofold… thinking and corporeal nature。 To cogitate the latter in
regard to its internal possibility； that is； to determine the
application of the categories to it； no idea is required… no
representation which transcends experience。 In this sphere； therefore；
an idea is impossible； sensuous intuition being our only guide； while；
in the sphere of psychology； we require the fundamental idea （I）；
which contains a priori a certain form of thought namely； the unity of
the ego。 Pure reason has； therefore； nothing left but nature in
general； and the completeness of conditions in nature in accordance
with some principle。 The absolute totality of the series of these
conditions is an idea； which can never be fully realized in the
empirical exercise of reason； while it is serviceable as a rule for
the procedure of reason in relation to that tota