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shorter logic-第30部分

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substituting for these statements of experience the corresponding categories or
metaphysical terms。 Thus arise these four new propositions: (a) the Soul is a
substance; (b) it is a simple substance; (c) it is numerically identical at the various
periods of existence; (d) it stands in relation to space。 

Kant discusses this translation; and draws attention to the Paralogism or mistake
of confounding one kind of truth with another。 He points out that empirical
attributes have here been replaced by categories; and shows that we are not
entitled to argue from the former to the latter; or to put the latter in place of the
former。 

This criticism obviously but repeats the observation of Hume (§ 39) that the
categories as a whole ideas of universality and necessity are entirely absent from
sensation; and that the empirical fact both in form and contents differs from its
intellectual formulation。 

If the purely empirical fact were held to constitute the credentials of the thought;
then no doubt it would be indispensable to be able precisely to identify the 'idea'
in the 'impression'。 

And in order to make out; in his criticism of the metaphysical psychology; that the
soul cannot be described as substantial; simple; self…same; and as maintaining its
independence in intercourse with the material world; Kant argues from the single
ground that the several attributes of the soul; which consciousness lets us feel in
experience; are not exactly the same attributes as result from the action of
thought thereon。 But we have seen above that according to Kant all knowledge;
even experience; consists in thinking our impressions in other words; in
transforming into intellectual categories the attributes primarily belonging to
sensation。 

Unquestionably one good result of the Kantian criticism was that it emancipated
mental philosophy from the 'soul…thing'; from the categories; and; consequently;
from questions about the simplicity; complexity; materiality; etc。; of the soul。 But
even for the common sense of ordinary men; the true point of view; from which
the inadmissibility of these forms best appears; will be not that they are thoughts;
but that thoughts of such a stamp neither can nor do retain truth。 



                                    §47

If thought and phenomenon do not perfectly correspond to one another; we are
free at least to choose which of the two shall be held the defaulter。 The Kantian
idealism; where it touches on the world of Reason; throws the blame on the
thoughts; saying that the thoughts are defective; as not being exactly fitted to the
sensations and to a mode of mind wholly restricted within the range of sensation;
in which as such there are no traces of the presence of these thoughts。 But as to
the actual content of the thought; no question is raised。 

                                   §47n

Paralogisms are a species of unsound syllogism; the especial vice of which consists in employing
one and the same word in the two premises with a different meaning。 According to Kant the
method adopted by the rational psychology of the old metaphysicians; when they assumed that the
qualities of the phenomenal soul; as given in experience; formed part of its own real essence; was
based upon such a Paralogism。 Nor can it be denied that predicates like simplicity; permanence;
etc。; are inapplicable to the soul。 But their unfitness is not due to the ground assigned by Kant; that
Reason; by applying them; would exceed its appointed bounds。 The true ground is that this style of
abstract terms is not good enough for the soul; which is very much more than a mere simple or
unchangeable sort of thing。 And thus; for example; while the soul may be admitted to be simple
selfsameness; it is at the same time active and institutes distinctions in its own nature。 But whatever
is merely or abstractly simple is as such also a mere dead thing。 By his polemic against the
metaphysic of the past Kant discarded those predicates from the soul or mind。 He did well; but
when he came to state his reasons; his failure is apparent。 



                                   § 48

'b' The second unconditioned object is the World (§ 35)。 In the attempt which
reason makes to comprehend the unconditioned nature of the World; it falls into
what are called Antinomies。 In other words it maintains two opposite propositions
about the same object; and in such a way that each of them has to be maintained
with equal necessity。 From this it follows that the body of cosmical fact; the
specific statements descriptive of which run into contradiction; cannot be a
self…subsistent reality; but only an appearance。 The explanation offered by Kant
alleges that the contradiction does not affect the object in its own proper essence;
but attaches only to the Reason which seeks to comprehend it。 

In this way the suggestion was broached that the contradiction is occasioned by
the subject…matter itself; or by the intrinsic quality of the categories。 And to offer
the idea that the contradiction introduced into the world of Reason by the
categories of Understanding is inevitable and essential was to make one of the
most important steps in the progress of Modern Philosophy。 But the more
important the issue thus raised the more trivial was the solution。 Its only motive
was an excess of tenderness for the things of the world。 The blemish of
contradiction; it seems; could not be allowed to mar the essence of the world; but
there could be no objection to attach it to the thinking Reason; to the essence of
mind。 Probably nobody will feel disposed to deny that the phenomenal world
presents contradictions to the observing mind; meaning by 'phenomenal' the
world as it presents itself to the senses and understanding; to the subjective mind。
But if a comparison is instituted between the essence of the world and the
essence of the mind; it does seem strange to hear how calmly and confidently the
modest dogma has been advanced by one; and repeated by others; that thought or
Reason; and not the World; is the seat of contradiction。 It is no escape to turn
round and explain that Reason falls into contradiction only by applying the
categories。 For this application of the categories is maintained to be necessary;
and Reason is not supposed to be equipped with any other forms but the
categories for the purpose of cognition。 But cognition is determining and
determinate thinking: so that; if Reason be mere empty indeterminate thinking; it
thinks nothing。 And if in the end Reason be reduced to mere identity without
diversity (see next §); it will in the end also win a happy release from
contradiction at the slight sacrifice of all its facets and contents。 

It may also be noted that his failure to make a more thorough study of Antinomy
was one of the reasons why Kant enumerated only four Antinomies。 These four
attracted his notice; because; as may be seen in his discussion of the so…called
Paralogisms of Reason; he assumed the list of the categories as a basis of his
argument。 Employing what has subsequently become a favourite fashion; he
simply put the object under a rubric otherwise ready to hand; i
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