第 39 节
作者:桃桃逃      更新:2022-08-21 16:33      字数:9318
  can think something apart from it; a something is implicitly the other of itself; and the somewhat
  sees its limit become objective to it in the other。 If we now ask for the difference between
  something and another; it turns out that they are the same: which sameness is expressed in Latin by
  calling the pair aliad…aliud。 The other; as opposed to the something; is itself a something; and
  hence we say some other; or something else; and so on the other hand the first something when
  opposed to the other; also defined as something; is itself an other。 When we say 〃something else〃
  our first impression is that something taken separately is only something; and that the quality of
  being another attaches to it only from outside considerations。 Thus we suppose that the moon;
  being something else than the sun; might very well exist without the sun。 But really the moon; as a
  something; has its other implicit in it。 Plato says: God made the world out of the nature of the 〃one〃
  and the 〃other〃: having brought these together; he formed from them a third; which is of the nature
  of the 〃one〃 and the 〃other〃。 In these words we have in general terms a statement of the nature of
  the finite; which; as something; does not meet the nature of the other as if it had no affinity to it;
  but; being implicitly the other of itself; thus undergoes alteration。 Alteration thus exhibits the
  inherent contradiction which originally attaches to determinate being; and which forces it out of its
  own bounds。 To materialised conception existence stands in the character of something solely
  positive; and quietly abiding within its own limits: though we also know; it is true; that everything
  finite (such as existence) is subject to change。 Such changeableness in existence is to the superficial
  eye a mere possibility; the realisation of which is not a consequence of its own nature。 But the fact
  is; mutability lies in the notion of existence; and change is only the manifestation of what it implicitly
  is。 The living die; simply because as living they bear in themselves the germ of death。
  ?
  § 93
  Something becomes an other; this other is itself somewhat; therefore it likewise
  becomes an other; and so on ad infinitum。
  § 94
  This Infinity is the wrong or negative infinity: it is only a negation of a finite: but
  the finite rises again the same as ever; and is never got rid of and absorbed。 In
  other words; this infinite only expresses the ought…to…be elimination of the finite。
  The progression to infinity never gets further than a statement of the contradiction
  involved in the finite; viz。 that it is somewhat as well as somewhat else。 It sets up
  with endless iteration the alternation between these two terms; each of which calls
  up the other。
  § 94n
  If we let somewhat and another; the elements of determinate Being; fall asunder; the result is that
  some becomes other; and this other is itself a somewhat; which then as such changes likewise; and
  so on ad infinitum。 This result seems to superficial reflection something very grand; the grandest
  possible。 But such a progression to infinity is not the real infinite。 That consists in being at home
  with itself in its other; or; if enunciated as a process; in coming to itself in its other。 Much depends
  on rightly apprehending the notion of infinity; and not stopping short at the wrong infinity of endless
  progression。 When time and space; for example; are spoken of as infinite; it is in the first place the
  infinite progression on which our thoughts fasten。 We say; Now; This time; and then we keep
  continually going forwards and backwards beyond this limit。 The case is the same with space; the
  infinity of which has formed the theme of barren declamation to astronomers with a talent for
  edification。 In the attempt to contemplate such an infinite; our thought; we are commonly informed;
  must sink exhausted。 It is true indeed that we must abandon the unending contemplation; not
  however because the occupation is too sublime; but because it is too tedious。 It is tedious to
  expatiate in the contemplation of this infinite progression; because the same thing is constantly
  recurring。 We lay down a limit: then we pass it: next we have a limit once more; and so on for
  ever。 All this is but superficial alternation; which never leaves the region of the finite behind。 To
  suppose that by stepping out and away into that infinity we release ourselves from the finite; is in
  truth but to seek the release which comes by flight。 But the man who flees is not yet free: in fleeing
  he is still conditioned by that from which he flees。 If it be also said that the infinite is unattainable;
  the statement is true; but only because to the idea of infinity has been attached the circumstance of
  being simply and solely negative。 With such empty and other…world stuff philosophy has nothing to
  do。 What philosophy has to do with is always something concrete and in the highest sense present。
  No doubt philosophy has also sometimes been set the task of finding an answer to the question;
  how the infinite comes to the resolution of issuing out of itself。 This question; founded; as it is; upon
  the assumption of a rigid opposition between finite and infinite; may be answered by saying that the
  opposition is false; and that in point of fact the infinite eternally proceeds out of itself; and yet does
  not proceed out of itself。 If we further say that the infinite is the not…finite; we have in point of fact
  virtually expressed the truth: for as the finite itself is the first negative; the not…finite is the negative
  of that negation; the negation which is identical with itself and thus at the same time a true
  affirmation。
  The infinity of reflection here discussed is only an attempt to reach the true infinity; a wretched
  neither…one…thing…nor…another。 Generally speaking; it is the point of view which has in recent times
  been emphasised in Germany。 The finite; this theory tells us; ought to be absorbed; the infinite
  ought not to be a negative merely; but also a positive。 That ;ought to be' betrays the incapacity of
  actually making good a claim which is at the same time recognised to be right。 This stage was
  never passed by the systems of Kant and Fichte; so far as ethics are concerned。 The utmost to
  which this way brings us is only the postulate of a never…ending approximation to the law of
  Reason: which postulate has been made an argument for the immortality of the soul。
  § 95
  'c' What we now in point of fact have before us; is that somewhat comes to be
  an other; and that the other generally comes to be an other。 Thus essentially
  relative to another; somewhat is virtually an other against it: and since what is
  passed into is quite the same as what passes over; since both have one and the
  same attribute; viz。 to be an other; it follows that something in its passage into
  other only joins with itself。 To be thus self…related in the passage; and in the
  other; is the genuine Infinity。 Or; under a negative aspect: what is altered is the
  other; it becomes the other of the other。 Thus Being; but as negation of the
  negation; is restored again: it is now Being…for…self。
  Dualism; in putting an insuperable opposition between finite and infinite; fails to
  note the simple circumstance that the infinite is thereby only one of two; and is
  reduced to a particular; to which the finite forms the other particular。 Such an
  infinite; which is only a particular; is conterminous with the finite which makes
  for it a limit and a barrier: it is not what it ought to be; that is; the infinite; but is
  only finite。 In such circumstances; where the finite is on this side; and the infinite
  on that…this world as the finite and the other world as the infinite…an equal dignity
  of permanence and independence is ascribed to finite and to infinite。 The being of
  the finite is made an absolute being; and by this dualism gets independence and
  stability。 Touched; so to speak; by the infinite; it would be annihilated。 But it
  must not be touched by the infinite。 There must be an abyss; an impassable gulf
  between the two; with the infinite abiding on yonder side and the finite steadfast
  on this。 Those who attribute to the finite this inflexible persistence in comparison
  with the infinite are not; as they imagine; far above metaphysic: they are still on
  the level of the most ordinary metaphysic of understanding。 For the same thing
  occurs here as in the infinite progression。 At one time it is admitted that the finite
  has no independent actuality; no absolute being; no root and development of its
  own; but is only a transient。 But next moment this is straightway forgotten; the
  finite; made a mere counterpart to the infinite; wholly separated from it; and
  rescued from annihilation; is conceived to be persistent in its independence。 While
  thought thus imagines itself elevated to the infinite; it meets with the opposite fate:
  it comes to an infinite which is only a finite; and the finite; which it had left
  behind; has always to be retained and made into an absolute。
  After thi