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General Conception of Knowledge
195
emergence of concepts. It is reflection, no doubt, which is necessary for the evolution of conceptual thought, but reflection is grounded in experience, which in its turn directly derives from reality. Experience furnishes unanalysed data with the universal and particular rolled into one. Reflection only distinguishes the two elements and this has been misconstrued to be the original contribution of thought. But thought does not impose the universal. It only discovers its existence in the real. If the universals were the subjective creations, our experience would have to be denounced as valueless, as particulars, even if perceived, would yield no knowledge, as Kant has proved. If experience be not unnecessarily condemned to take stock of particulars only, for which there is no logical necessity, and if again universals be not denied an objective status and basis, for which again there is neither warrant for justification, and if, in conformity with the plain verdict of experience, the nature of reals is admitted to be made up of both the elements, universal and particular and to be cognised as such.
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