72 KANTS UNIVERSAL NATURAL HISTORY 



cause, whatever it may be, has exercised an influence 

 throughout the whole extent of the system, and that the 

 accordance in the direction and position of the orbits of 

 the planets is a consequence of the agreement which 

 they must all have had with that material cause by which 

 they have been put into motion. 



On the other hand, if we consider the space in which 

 the planets of our system revolve, it is found to be 

 entirely empty 1 and bereft of all matter that could cause 

 a community of influence on these heavenly bodies, or 

 could bring about an accordance in their movements. 

 This circumstance is established with perfect certainty, 

 and, if possible, even surpasses the former in probability. 

 Newton moved by this reason could allow no material 

 cause which, by its extension through the space of the 

 planetary system, could maintain the community of their 

 movements. He asserted that the immediate hand of 

 God had instituted this arrangement without the inter- 

 vention of the forces of nature. 



Impartially weighing these views, it appears that the 

 reasons on the two sides are equally strong, and that 

 both of them are to be regarded as equally claiming 

 complete certainty. But it is just as clear that there 

 must be a conception in which these several grounds, 

 which apparently conflict with each other, may and can 

 be combined, and that the true system is to be sought 

 in this conception. We shall indicate it in a few words. 



1 1 do not examine here the question whether this space can be 

 called empty in the strictest sense of the term. For it is enough to 

 remark here that any matter that might be met with in this space, 

 is much too powerless to be able to exercise any influence with 

 respect to the moving masses that are here in question. 



