The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Vol. I, Nos. 1-4, 1867Various
Philosophy
The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Vol. I, Nos. 1-4, 1867
Various
Philosophy -- Periodicals
According to Mr. Schulz, therefore, a representation is that whereof
consciousness is possible. Now Mr. Schulz also speaks of pure
self-consciousness. Undoubtedly he knows whereof he speaks, and hence,
as philosopher, he most truly has a representation of pure
self-consciousness. It was not of this consciousness of the philosopher,
however, that Mr. Schulz spoke, but of original consciousness; and hence
the significance of his assertion is this: Originally (i. e. in common
consciousness without philosophical reflection) mere self-consciousness
does not constitute full consciousness, but is merely a necessary
compound, which makes full consciousness first possible. But is it not
the same with _sensuous_ contemplation? Does _sensuous_ contemplation
constitute a consciousness, or is it not rather merely that whereby a
representation first becomes a representation? Contemplation without
conception is confessedly blind. How, then, can Mr. Schulz call
(sensuous) contemplation (excluding from it self-consciousness)
representation? From the standpoint of the philosopher, as we have just
seen, self-consciousness is equally representation; from the standpoint
of original contemplation, sensuous contemplation is equally _not_
representation. Or does the conception constitute a representation? The
conception without contemplation is confessedly empty. In truth,
self-consciousness, sensuous contemplation, and conception, are, in
their isolated separateness, not representations—they are only that
through which representations become possible. According to Kant, to
Schulz, and to myself, a complete representation contains a threefold:
1st. That whereby the representation relates itself to an object, and
becomes the representative of a _Something_—and this we unanimously call
the _sensuous contemplation_ (even if I am myself the object of my
representation, it is by virtue of a sensuous contemplation, for then I
become to myself a permanent in time); 2d. That through which the
representation relates itself to the subject, and becomes _my_
representation; this I also call contemplation (but _intellectual
contemplation_), because it has the same relation to the complete
representation which the sensuous contemplation has; but Kant and Schulz
do not want it called so; and, 3d. That through which both are united,
and only in this union become representation; and this we again
unanimously call _conception_.
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