第 156 节
作者:
卖吻 更新:2021-08-28 17:09 字数:9320
' from motion in a straight line; we may ask how this difference is to be defined… the difference; for example; between throwing over the head and under the feet。 The driving power is one… though indeed it might be maintained that the upward drive is different from the downward; and the downward passage of a different character from the upward; especially if it be a natural motion; in which case the up…motion constitutes lightness; the down…motion heaviness。 But in all these motions alike there is the common tendency to seek an appointed place; and in this tendency we seem to have the differentia which separates locomotion from the other species。 As for motion in a circle and motion in a straight line; if the former is in practice indistinguishable from the latter; how can we regard them as different? The only difference lies in the shape of the course; unless the view be taken that circular motion is 〃impure;〃 as not being entirely a motion; not involving a complete surrender of identity。 However; it appears in general that locomotion is a definite unity; taking its differences from externals。 25。 The nature of integration and disintegrations calls for scrutiny。 Are they different from the motions above mentioned; from coming…to…be and passing…away; from growth and decay; from change of place and from alteration? or must they be referred to these? or; again; must some of these be regarded as types of integration and disintegration? If integration implies that one element proceeds towards another; implies in short an approach; and disintegration; on the other hand; a retreat into the background; such motions may be termed local; we have clearly a case of two things moving in the direction of unity; or else making away from each other。 If however the things achieve a sort of fusion; mixture; blending; and if a unity comes into being; not when the process of combination is already complete; but in the very act of combining; to which of our specified motions shall we refer this type? There will certainly be locomotion at first; but it will be succeeded by something different; just as in growth locomotion is found at the outset; though later it is supplanted by quantitative motion。 The present case is similar: locomotion leads the way; but integration or disintegration does not inevitably follow; integration takes place only when the impinging elements become intertwined; disintegration only when they are rent asunder by the contact。 On the other hand; it often happens that locomotion follows disintegration; or else occurs simultaneously; though the experience of the disintegrated is not conceived in terms of locomotion: so too in integration a distinct experience; a distinct unification; accompanies the locomotion and remains separate from it。 Are we then to posit a new species for these two motions; adding to them; perhaps; alteration? A thing is altered by becoming dense… in other words; by integration; it is altered again by being rarefied… that is; by disintegration。 When wine and water are mixed; something is produced different from either of the pre…existing elements: thus; integration takes place; resulting in alteration。 But perhaps we should recall a previous distinction; and while holding that integrations and disintegrations precede alterations; should maintain that alterations are nonetheless distinct from either; that; further; not every alteration is of this type 'presupposing; that is to say; integration or disintegration'; and; in particular; rarefication and condensation are not identical with disintegration and integration; nor in any sense derived from them: to suppose that they were would involve the admission of a vacuum。 Again; can we use integration and disintegration to explain blackness and whiteness? But to doubt the independent existence of these qualities means that; beginning with colours; we may end by annihilating almost all qualities; or rather all without exception; for if we identify every alteration; or qualitative change; with integration and disintegration; we allow nothing whatever to come into existence; the same elements persist; nearer or farther apart。 Finally; how is it possible to class learning and being taught as integrations? 26。 We may now take the various specific types of Motion; such as locomotion; and once again enquire for each one whether it is not to be divided on the basis of direction; up; down; straight; circular… a question already raised; whether the organic motion should be distinguished from the inorganic… they are clearly not alike; whether; again; organic motions should be subdivided into walking; swimming and flight。 Perhaps we should also distinguish; in each species; natural from unnatural motions: this distinction would however imply that motions have differences which are not external。 It may indeed be the case that motions create these differences and cannot exist without them; but Nature may be supposed to be the ultimate source of motions and differences alike。 Motions may also be classed as natural; artificial and purposive: 〃natural〃 embracing growth and decay; 〃artificial〃 architecture and shipbuilding; 〃purposive〃 enquiry; learning; government; and; in general; all speech and action。 Again; with regard to growth; alteration and birth; the division may proceed from the natural and unnatural; or; speaking generally; from the characters of the moved objects。 27。 What view are we to take of that which is opposed to Motion; whether it be Stability or Rest? Are we to consider it as a distinct genus; or to refer it to one of the genera already established? We should; no doubt; be well advised to assign Stability to the Intellectual; and to look in the lower sphere for Rest alone。 First; then; we have to discover the precise nature of this Rest。 If it presents itself as identical with Stability; we have no right to expect to find it in the sphere where nothing is stable and the apparently stable has merely a less strenuous motion。 Suppose the contrary: we decide that Rest is different from Stability inasmuch as Stability belongs to the utterly immobile; Rest to the stationary which; though of a nature to move; does not move。 Now; if Rest means coming to rest; it must be regarded as a motion which has not yet ceased but still continues; but if we suppose it to be incompatible with Motion; we have first to ask whether there is in the Sensible world anything without motion。 Yet nothing can experience every type of motion; certain motions must be ruled out in order that we may speak of the moving object as existing: may we not; then; say of that which has no locomotion and is at rest as far as pertains to that specific type of motion; simply that it does not move? Rest; accordingly; is the negation of Motion: in other words; it has no generic status。 It is in fact related only to one type of motion; namely; locomotion; it is therefore the negation of this motion that is meant。 But; it may be asked; why not regard Motion as the negation of Stability? We reply that Motion does not appear alone; it is accompanied by a force which actualizes its object; forcing it on; as it were; giving it a thousand forms and destroying them all: Rest; on the contrary; comports nothing but the object itself; and signifies merely that the object has no motion。 Why; then; did we not in discussing the Intellectual realm assert that Stability was the negation of Motion? Because it is not indeed possible to consider Stability as an annulling of Motion; for when Motion ceases Stability does not exist; but requires for its own existence the simultaneous existence of Motion; and what is of a nature to move is not stationary because Stability of that realm is motionless; but because Stability has taken hold of it; in so far as it has Motion; it will never cease to move: thus; it is stationary under the influence of Stability; and moves under the influence of Motion。 In the lower realm; too; a thing moves in virtue of Motion; but its Rest is caused by a deficiency; it has been deprived of its due motion。 What we have to observe is the essential character of this Sensible counterpart of Stability。 Consider sickness and health。 The convalescent moves in the sense that he passes from sickness to health。 What species of rest are we to oppose to this convalescence? If we oppose the condition from which he departs; that condition is sickness; not Stability; if that into which he passes; it is health; again not the same as Stability。 It may be declared that health or sickness is indeed some form of Stability: we are to suppose; then; that Stability is the genus of which health and sickness are species; which is absurd。 Stability may; again; be regarded as an attribute of health: according to this view; health will not be health before possessing Stability。 These questions may however be left to the judgement of the individual。 28。 We have already indicated that Activity and Passivity are to be regarded as motions; and that it is possible to distinguish absolute motions; actions; passions。 As for the remaining so…called genera; we have shown that they are reducible to those which we have posited。