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the critique of pure reason-第52章

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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 composed 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 complete

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 intuition remains equal and unaltered。

  We shall give an example of this。 Almost all natural philosophers;

remarking a great difference in the quantity of the matter of

different kinds in bodies with the same volume (partly on account of

the momentum of gravity or weight; partly on account of the momentum

of resistance to other bodies in motion); conclude unanimously that

this volume (extensive quantity of the phenomenon) must be void in all

bodies; although in different proportion。 But who would suspect that

these for the most part mathematical and mechanical inquirers into

nature should ground this conclusion solely on a metaphysical

hypothesis… a sort of hypothesis which they profess to disparage and

avoid? Yet this they do; in assuming that the real in space (I must

not here call it impenetrability or weight; because these are

empirical conceptions) is always identical; and can only be

distinguished according to its extensive quantity; that is;

multiplicity。 Now to this presupposition; for which they can have no

ground in e
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