In the same way, then, that time is the a priori sensible condition of the possibility of a continuous progress of that which exists to that which fol lows it, the understanding, by means of the unity of apperception, is the a priori condition of the possibility of a continuous determination of all positions for the appearances in this time, through the series of causes and effects, the former of which inevitably draw the existence of the lat ter after them and thereby make the empirical cognition of temporal re lations (universally) valid for all time, thus objectively valid.