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this reason transcendental propositions cannot be framed by means of
the construction of conceptions; they are a priori; and based entirely
on conceptions themselves。 They contain merely the rule; by which we
are to seek in the world of perception or experience the synthetical
unity of that which cannot be intuited a priori。 But they are
inpetent to present any of the conceptions which appear in them
in an a priori intuition; these can be given only a posteriori; in
experience; which; however; is itself possible only through these
synthetical principles。
If we are to form a synthetical judgement regarding a conception; we
must go beyond it; to the intuition in which it is given。 If we keep
to what is contained in the conception; the judgement is merely
analytical… it is merely an explanation of what we have cogitated in
the conception。 But I can pass from the conception to the pure or
empirical intuition which corresponds to it。 I can proceed to
examine my conception in concreto; and to cognize; either a priori
or a posterio; what I find in the object of the conception。 The
former… a priori cognition… is rational…mathematical cognition by
means of the construction of the conception; the latter… a
posteriori cognition… is purely empirical cognition; which does not
possess the attributes of necessity and universality。 Thus I may
analyse the conception I have of gold; but I gain no new information
from this analysis; I merely enumerate the different properties
which I had connected with the notion indicated by the word。 My
knowledge has gained in logical clearness and arrangement; but no
addition has been made to it。 But if I take the matter which is
indicated by this name; and submit it to the examination of my senses;
I am enabled to form several synthetical… although still empirical…
propositions。 The mathematical conception of a triangle I should
construct; that is; present a priori in intuition; and in this way
attain to rational…synthetical cognition。 But when the
transcendental conception of reality; or substance; or power is
presented to my mind; I find that it does not relate to or indicate
either an empirical or pure intuition; but that it indicates merely
the synthesis of empirical intuitions; which cannot of course be given
a priori。 The synthesis in such a conception cannot proceed a
priori… without the aid of experience… to the intuition which
corresponds to the conception; and; for this reason; none of these
conceptions can produce a determinative synthetical proposition;
they can never present more than a principle of the synthesis* of
possible empirical intuitions。 A transcendental proposition is;
therefore; a synthetical cognition of reason by means of pure
conceptions and the discursive method; and it renders possible all
synthetical unity in empirical cognition; though it cannot present
us with any intuition a priori。
*In the case of the conception of cause; I do really go beyond the
empirical conception of an event… but not to the intuition which
presents this conception in concreto; but only to the time…conditions;
which may be found in experience to correspond to the conception。 My
procedure is; therefore; strictly according to conceptions; I cannot
in a case of this kind employ the construction of conceptions; because
the conception is merely a rule for the synthesis of perceptions;
which are not pure intuitions; and which; therefore; cannot be given a
priori。
There is thus a twofold exercise of reason。 Both modes have the
properties of universality and an a priori origin in mon; but
are; in their procedure; of widely different character。 The reason
of this is that in the world of phenomena; in which alone objects
are presented to our minds; there are two main elements… the form of
intuition (space and time); which can be cognized and determined
pletely a priori; and the matter or content… that which is
presented in space and time; and which; consequently; contains a
something… an existence corresponding to our powers of sensation。 As
regards the latter; which can never be given in a determinate mode
except by experience; there are no a priori notions which relate to
it; except the undetermined conceptions of the synthesis of possible
sensations; in so far as these belong (in a possible experience) to
the unity of consciousness。 As regards the former; we can determine
our conceptions a priori in intuition; inasmuch as we are ourselves
the creators of the objects of the conceptions in space and time…
these objects being regarded simply as quanta。 In the one case; reason
proceeds according to conceptions and can do nothing more than subject
phenomena to these… which can only be determined empirically; that is;
a posteriori… in conformity; however; with those conceptions as the
rules of all empirical synthesis。 In the other case; reason proceeds
by the construction of conceptions; and; as these conceptions relate
to an a priori intuition; they may be given and determined in pure
intuition a priori; and without the aid of empirical data。 The
examination and consideration of everything that exists in space or
time… whether it is a quantum or not; in how far the particular
something (which fills space or time) is a primary substratum; or a
mere determination of some other existence; whether it relates to
anything else… either as cause or effect; whether its existence is
isolated or in reciprocal connection with and dependence upon
others; the possibility of this existence; its reality and necessity
or opposites… all these form part of the cognition of reason on the
ground of conceptions; and this cognition is termed philosophical。 But
to determine a priori an intuition in space (its figure); to divide
time into periods; or merely to cognize the quantity of an intuition
in space and time; and to determine it by number… all this is an
operation of reason by means of the construction of conceptions; and
is called mathematical。
The success which attends the efforts of reason in the sphere of
mathematics naturally fosters the expectation that the same good
fortune will be its lot; if it applies the mathematical m