Analiza natury „obiektów ponadczasowych” w „Science and the Modern World” A.N. Whiteheada

Abstract

This article attempts to analyze the metaphysical category, defined by A. N. Whitehead as “eternal objects” in his „Science and the Modern World”. The abstract nature of the eternal objects creates its relational essence. The most important relationships because of the nature of the eternal object are internal relations. These relations are defined in the essence of the eternal object in relation to other eternal objects and are, for it constitutive relations forming its importance. Individual essence may be simple or complex of other eternal objects forming an “abstractive hierarchy”, having two aspects: the abstraction of actualisation and abstraction of the possibilities. The complexity of the eternal object refers to its essence and is on its degree in the field of possibilities. In this way, eternal objects create an “extended continuum” as the basis of actual occasions. Te relational essence determines the possibility of entering eternal objects in actual occasions, creating the so-called “the general principle of ingression”. The world of Whitehead’s eternal objects is, therefore the great system of interrelationships that flow from the nature of opportunities and at the same time expresses it.