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shorter logic-第83部分
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because in his Son; who is one with him; he has revealed himself to men as a man among men; and
thereby redeemed them。 All of which is only another way of saying that the antithesis of subjective
and objective is implicitly overcome; and that it is our affair to participate in this redemption by
laying aside our immediate subjectivity (putting off the old Adam); and learning to know God as
our true and essential self。
Just as religion and religious worship consist in overcoming the antithesis of subjectivity and
objectivity; so science too and philosophy have no other task than to overcome this antithesis by
the medium of thought。 The aim of knowledge is to divest the objective world that stands opposed
to us of its strangeness; and; as the phrase is; to find ourselves at home in it: which means no more
than to trace the objective world back to the notion … to our innermost self。 We may learn from the
present discussion the mistake of regarding the antithesis of subjectivity and objectivity as an
abstract and permanent one。 The two are wholly dialectical。 The notion is at first only subjective:
but without the assistance of any foreign material or stuff it proceeds; in obedience to its own
action; to objectify itself。 So; too; the object is not rigid and processless。 Its process is to show
itself as what is at the same time subjective; and thus form the step onwards to the idea。 Any one
who; from want of familiarity with the categories of subjectivity and objectivity; seeks to retain
them in their abstraction will find that the isolated categories slip through his fingers before he is
aware; and that he says the exact contrary of what he wanted to say。
§ 194n2
(2) Objectivity contains the three forms of Mechanism; Chemism; and Teleology。 The object of
mechanical type is the immediate and undifferentiated object。 No doubt it contains difference; but
the different pieces stand; as it were; without affinity to each other; and their connection is only
extraneous。 In chemism; on the contrary; the object exhibits an essential tendency to
differentiation; in such a way that the objects are what they are only by their relation to each other:
this tendency to difference constitutes their quality。 The third type of objectivity; the teleological
relation; is the unity of mechanism and chemism。 Design; like the mechanical object; is a
self…contained totality; enriched however by the principle of differentiation which came to the fore
in chemism; and thus referring itself to the object that stands over against it。 Finally; it is the
realisation of design which forms the transition to the Idea。
(a) Mechanism
§ 195
The object (1) in its immediacy is the notion only potentially; the notion as
subjective is primarily outside it; and all its specific character is imposed from
without。 As a unity of differents; therefore; it is a composite; an aggregate; and its
capacity of acting on anything else continues to be an external relation。 This is
Formal Mechanism。 Notwithstanding; and in this connection and
non…independence; the objects remain independent and offer resistance; external
to each other。
Pressure and impact are examples of mechanical relations。 Our knowledge is said
to be mechanical or by rote; when the words have no meaning for us; but
continue external to sense; conception; thought; and when; being similarly
external to each other; they form a meaningless sequence。 Conduct; piety; etc。;
are in the same way mechanical; when a man's behaviour is settled for him by
ceremonial laws; by a spiritual adviser; etc。; in short; when his own mind and will
are not in his actions; which in this way are extraneous to himself。
§ 195n
Mechanism; the first form of objectivity; is also the category which primarily offers itself to
reflection; as it examines the objective world。 It is also the category beyond which reflection
seldom goes。 It is; however; a shallow and superficial mode of observation; one that cannot carry
us through in connection with Nature and still less in connection with the world of Mind。 In Nature
it is only the veriest abstract relations of matter in its inert masses which obey the law of
mechanism。 On the contrary the phenomena and operations of the province to which the term
'physical' in its narrower sense is applied; such as the phenomena of light; heat; magnetism; and
electricity; cannot be explained by any mere mechanical processes; such as pressure; impact;
displacement of parts; and the like。
Still less satisfactory is it to transfer these categories and apply them in the field of organic nature;
at least if it be our aim to understand the specific features of that field; such as the growth and
nourishment of plants; or; it may be; even animal sensation。 It is at any rate a very deep…seated;
and perhaps the main; defect of modern researches into nature; that; even where other and higher
categories than those of mere mechanism are in operation; they still stick obstinately to the
mechanical laws; although they thus conflict with the testimony of unbiased perception; and
foreclose the gate to an adequate knowledge of nature。 But even in considering the formations in
the world of Mind; the mechanical theory has been repeatedly invested with an authority which it
has no right to。 Take as an instance the remark that man consists of soul and body。 In this
language; the two things stand each self…subsistent; and associated only from without。 Similarly Be
find the soul regarded as a mere group of forces and faculties; subsisting independently side by
side。
Thus decidedly must we reject the mechanical mode of inquiry when it comes forward and
arrogates to itself the place of rational cognition in general; and seeks to get mechanism accepted
as an absolute category。 But we must not on that account forget expressly to vindicate for
mechanism the right and import of a general logical category。 It would be; therefore; a mistake to
restrict it to the special physical department from which it derives its name。 There is no harm done;
for example; in directing attention to mechanical actions; such as that of gravity; the lever; etc。;
even in departments; notably in physics and in physiology; beyond the range of mechanics proper。
It must however be remembered that within these spheres the laws of mechanism cease to be final
or decisive; and sink; as it were; to a subservient position。 To which may be added that in Nature;
when the higher or organic functions are in any way checked or disturbed in their normal
efficiency; the otherwise subordinate category of mechanism is immediately seen to take the upper
hand。 Thus a sufferer from indigestion feels pressure on the stomach; after partaking of certain
food in slight quantity; whereas those whose digestive organs are sound remain free from the
sensation; although they have eaten as much。 The same phenomenon occurs in the general feeling
of heaviness in the limbs; experienced in bodily indisposition。 Even in the world of Mind;
mechanism has its place; thou
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