10. The Uselessness of the Atomic Concept in Physiological Research

[Beginning missing] they would have to have perceptible properties, and if they did, they are useless for explaining natural processes.

This demonstrates the uselessness of the atomic concept. Here an empty abstraction of the mind would be made into a real being. So here, in a region where there is nothing, we cannot speak of a limit to our knowledge. In reality, there are no questions here, and therefore no answers either.

It now becomes clear, without our having suspected it, that the supposed second limit to our knowledge has also been removed. For that second insoluble problem is: how are the position and movement of atoms related to the phenomena of our consciousness? With the assumption of atoms, this question disappears by itself.

Today, physiological research in this regard is valued far too highly.

In this respect, one must be very careful in order to gain the right perspective.

It would be ridiculous to deny the slightest justification for physiological research. But one thing must be admitted: the physiologist cannot determine the slightest thing about the things of consciousness and freedom. These questions can and must be decided independently of all empiricism. Any interference of material processes here shifts the location and contaminates our views.

Incidentally, we are by no means dealing with unsolved problems with regard to consciousness. It is one of the great merits of our philosopher Fichte to have established the theory of consciousness on a completely scientific basis. Fichte develops all the questions to be asked here and answers them.

Therefore, we can only speak of a limit to knowledge here if the point of the question is completely misunderstood. In truth, there is no limit here or anywhere else.