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Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about American Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		Conceptions of the Infinite by Joseph Alden   There has been a great deal written about the absolute and the infinite which conveys no meaning to such as have not the faculty of understanding the unintelligible. For example, Mansel says: "That which is conceived of as absolute and infinite must be conceived of as combining within itself the sum not only of all actual but of all possible modes of being." -- There is no such thing as a general infinite. There are infinite things or attributes, just as there are true propositions. But the infinite and the true are not independent entities. We cognize infinite objects, and can thus form an abstract idea of infinity. The idea is not definable. As we say, "Truth is that in which all true proportions agree," so we may say, that the infinite is that in which all infinite objects agree. That is infinite which has no limit. That which we cognize as limitless is to us infinite. We must distinguish between the infinite and the indefinite. God's wisdom is infinite; it transcends all our powers of expression. So of his mercy and his benevolence. Infinite existence is everlasting existence. When we speak of God as the Infinite Existence, we mean that all his attributes are infinite. The human mind can form no adequate apprehension of infinite things; and yet it is not, properly speaking, a negative apprehension which we have of it. The fact that we cannot know everything about a subject or object does not prove that we cannot know anything about it. The fact that we cannot by searching find out God to perfection, does not prove that we cannot know many things respecting him. God is infinite: that is, His existence and attributes are without limit -- transcend all our power of apprehension. We know nothing than can be added to them.   Excerpted from Elements of Intellectual Philosophy, by Joseph Alden     Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials Introduction & Directory American Philosophy Index
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