TERM AND TRANSLATION

possible / the possible

possible / le possiblepossible / the possible

The possible is listed separately to protect its difference from the virtual: a possible is often imagined as preformed but unrealized, whereas virtual actualization creates difference.

Atlas working translation

可能

French term: possible / le possible
English term: possible / the possible

Variants and search terms

可能性Simplified record
可能物Simplified record
可能Traditional record
possibleCommon / non-Chinese record
the possibleCommon / non-Chinese record

Conceptual boundary

A possible is preformed and awaits realization; the virtual creates difference and form through actualization.

Sources and translations

01
Gilles Deleuze, Le Bergsonisme, PUF, 1966
Primary text for Deleuze’s reconstruction of duration, memory, the virtual, and multiplicity.
02
Gilles Deleuze, Différence et répétition, PUF, 1968
French primary text.
03
《柏格森主义》，安靖译，上海人民出版社，2023
Published Mainland translation documenting current Chinese philosophical usage.
04
Time-Image Research Atlas terminology policy, v1
Atlas terms govern prose, aliases remain searchable, and original-language forms accompany first use.