Essays

Abstract

Let A, B, C, … designate any objects whatever, whether intuited or thought, existing or imaginary, so long as they are compatible with each other — i.e., are such that the being of the one does not exclude the being of the other. Then the expression “A and Band C and … ,” taken in its general sense, yields a 10 definition of the term “totality of the objects A, B, C, …”. The objects totalized are also called the members of the totality. If they are individually given, then the collective act which combines them to form a conceptual unit can occasionally be carried out in the authentic [eigentlichem] sense. From such cases the concept 15 of the totality took its psychological origin. Reflection upon the collocating act supplies the intuition which the concept of the totality presupposes. In the majority of cases, the collective unification cannot be carried out in actuality [wirklich] , and it then is merely intended. For logical purposes this is no hinderance. It 20 does not matter whether the objects which are to be grasped together are intuited separately, along with their individual peculiarities, or are only Represented [repräsentiert]. It does not matter whether the objects separately given come to synthesis in one act of actual unification.