Extensive

Hegel (Logic of Being, form of the quantum)

Extensive magnitude is divisible, addable quantity. It consists of homogeneous parts (number, amount). Examples: length (1m + 1m = 2m), mass (5kg + 3kg = 8kg), number (3 apples). The whole is the sum of the parts. Extensive magnitude is directed outward (extension). It turns into intensive magnitude: many small differences become degree (many molecular movements = temperature). In thermodynamics: extensive quantities scale with system size.

Origin

Lat. *extensio* (extension). Descartes: *res extensa* as the basic property of matter. Kant: extensive magnitude in the "Anticipations of Perception." Hegel: extensive/intensive as dialectical moments of the quantum.

In Hegel

Enc. §103; SL Vol. 1, Quantity

Cross-references

Intensive · Quantum · Quantity · Grad · Measure · Doctrine of Being