第 33 节
作者:桃桃逃      更新:2022-08-21 16:33      字数:9314
  we see; for example; the developed animal organism provided with separate organs for the
  functions of sensation; motion; digestion; &c。
  The previous course of the discussion may serve to show that understanding is indispensable even
  in those spheres and regions of action which the popular fancy would deem furthest from it; and
  that in proportion as understanding is absent from them; imperfection is the result。 This particularly
  holds good of Art; Religion; and Philosophy。 In Art; for example; understanding is visible where
  the forms of beauty; which differ in principle; are kept distinct and exhibited in their purity。 The
  same thing holds good also of single works of art。 It is part of the beauty and perfection of a
  dramatic poem that the characters of the several persons should be closely and faithfully
  maintained; and that the different aims and interests involved should be plainly and decidedly
  exhibited。 Or again; take the province of Religion。 The superiority of Greek over Northern
  mythology (apart from other differences of subject…matter and conception) mainly consists in this:
  that in the former the individual gods are fashioned into forms of sculpture…like distinctness of
  outline; while in the latter the figures fade away vaguely and hazily into one another。 Lastly comes
  Philosophy。 That Philosophy never can get on without the understanding hardly calls for special
  remark after what has been said。 Its foremost requirement is that every thought shall be grasped in
  its full precision; and nothing allowed to remain vague and indefinite。
  It is usually added that understanding must not go too far。 Which is so far correct; that
  understanding is not an ultimate; but on the contrary finite; and so constituted that when carried to
  extremes it veers round to its opposite。 It is the fashion of youth to dash about in abstractions —
  but the man who has learnt to know life steers clear of the abstract 'either — or'; and keeps to the
  concrete。
  § 81
  'b' In the Dialectical stage these finite characterisations or formulae supersede
  themselves; and pass into their opposites。
  (1) But when the Dialectical principle is employed by the understanding
  separately and independently — especially as seen in its application to
  philosophical theories — Dialectic becomes Scepticism; in which the result that
  ensues from its action is presented as a mere negation。
  (2) It is customary to treat Dialectic as an adventitious art; which for very
  wantonness introduces confusion and a mere semblance of contradiction into
  definite notions。 And in that light; the semblance is the nonentity; while the true
  reality is supposed to belong to the original dicta of understanding。 Often; indeed;
  Dialectic is nothing more than a subjective seesaw of arguments pro and con;
  where the absence of sterling thought is disguised by the subtlety which gives
  birth to such arguments。 But in its true and proper character; Dialectic is the very
  nature and essence of everything predicated by mere understanding — the law of
  things and of the finite as a whole。 Dialectic is different from 'Reflection'。 In the
  first instance; Reflection is that movement out beyond the isolated predicate of a
  thing which gives it some reference; and brings out its relativity; while still in other
  respects leaving it its isolated validity。 But by Dialectic is meant the indwelling
  tendency outwards by which the one…sidedness and limitation of the predicates of
  understanding is seen in its true light; and shown to be the negation of them。 For
  anything to be finite is just to suppress itself and put itself aside。 Thus understood
  the Dialectical principle constitutes the life and soul of scientific progress; the
  dynamic which alone gives immanent connection and necessity to the body of
  science; and; in a word; is seen to constitute the real and true; as opposed to the
  external; exaltation above the finite。
  。。。The Logic Further Defined and Divided
  § 81n1
  It is of the highest importance to ascertain and understand rightly the nature of Dialectics。
  Wherever there is movement; wherever there is life; wherever anything is carried into effect in the
  actual world; there Dialectic is at work。 It is also the soul of all knowledge which is truly scientific。
  In the popular way of looking at things; the refusal to be bound by the abstract deliverances of
  understanding appears as fairness; which; according to the proverb: 〃Live and let live〃; demands
  that each should have its turn; we admit one; but we admit the other also。
  But when we look more closely; we find that the limitations of the finite do not merely come from
  without; that its own nature is the cause of its abrogation; and that by its own nature is the cause of
  its abrogation; and that man is mortal; and seem to think that the ground of his death is in external
  circumstances only; so that if this way of looking were correct; man would have two special
  properties; vitality and … also … mortality。 But the true view of the matter is that life as life; involves
  the germ of death; and that the finite; being radically self…contradictory; involves its own
  self…suppression。
  Nor; again; is Dialectic to be confounded with mere Sophistry。 The essence of Sophistry lies in
  giving authority to a partial and abstract principle; in its isolation; as may suit the interest and
  particular situation of the individual at the time。 For example; a regard to my existence; and my
  having the means of existence; is a vital motive of conduct; but if I exclusively emphasise this
  consideration or motive of my welfare; and draw the conclusion that I may steal or betray my
  country; we have a case of Sophistry。
  Similarly; it is a vital principle in conduct that I should be subjectively free; that is to say; that I
  should have an insight into what I am doing; and a conviction that it is right。 But if my pleading
  insists on this principle alone I fall into Sophistry; such as would overthrow all the principles of
  morality。 From this sort of party…pleading; Dialectic is wholly different; its purpose is to study
  things in their own being and movement and thus to demonstrate the finitude of the partial
  categories of understanding。
  Dialectic; it may be added; is no novelty in philosophy。 Among the ancients Plato is termed the
  inventor of Dialectic; and his right to the name rests on the fact that the Platonic philosophy first
  gave the free scientific; and thus at the same time the objective; form to Dialectic。 Socrates; as we
  should expect from the general character of his philosophising; has the dialectical element in a
  predominantly subjective shape; that of Irony。 He used to turn Dialectic; first against ordinary
  consciousness; and then especially against the Sophists。 In his conversations he used to simulate
  the wish for some clearer knowledge about the subject under discussion; and after putting all sorts
  of questions with that intent; he drew those with whom he conversed to the opposite of what their
  first impressions had pronounced correct。
  If; for instance; the Sophists claimed to be teachers; Socrates by a series of questions forced the
  Sophist Protagoras to confess that all learning is only recollection。 In his more strictly scientific
  dialogues; Plato employs the dialectical method to show the finitude of all hard and fast terms of
  understanding。 Thus in the Parmenides he deduces the many from the one。 In this grand style did
  Plato treat Dialectic。 In modern times it was; more than any other; Kant who resuscitated the
  name of Dialectic; and restored it to its post of honour。 He did it; as we have seen; by working out
  the Antinomies of the reason。 The problem of these Antinomies is no mere subjective piece of
  work oscillating between one set of grounds and another; it really serves to show that every
  abstract proposition of understanding; taken precisely as it is given; naturally veers round to its
  opposite。
  However reluctant Understanding may be to admit the action of Dialectic; we must not suppose
  that the recognition of its existence is peculiarly confined to the philosopher。 It would be truer to
  say that Dialectic gives expression to a law which is felt in all other grades of consciousness; and in
  general experience。 Everything that surrounds us may be viewed as an instance of Dialectic。 We
  are aware that everything finite; instead of being stable and ultimate; is rather changeable and
  transient; and this is exactly what we mean by that Dialectic of the finite; by which the finite; as
  implicitly other than what it is; is forced beyond its own immediate or natural being to turn
  suddenly into its opposite。
  We have 。。。 identified Understanding with what is implied in the popular idea of the goodness of
  God; we may now remark of Dialectic; the in same objective signification; that its principle
  answers to the idea of his power。 All things; we say … that is; the finite world as such … are
  doomed; in saying so; we have a vision of Dialectic as the universal and irresistible power before
  which nothing can stay; however secure and stable it may deem itself。 The category of