CHAPTER II. 

 First Causes. 



Section i . First Causes generally : — 



Twin problem to the Origin of Existence is that of 

 the First Cause of the universe. Our duty is again 

 definitive, viz., to determine the meaning of the terms 

 cause and first cause. 



A cause, pure and simple, is either the agent of or 

 the antecedent to, any effect. 



A first cause, on the other hand, is a cause which 

 preceded the first condition of things ; a something 

 which existed in nothing ; which evolved itself out of 

 nothing ; and which created the present existence out 

 of nothing. 



Although the problem of a first cause is thus an 

 obviously absurd one, we may, owing to the wide- 

 spread belief in it, profitably discuss it at greater 

 length. Investigators generally confound the creation 

 of the earth with the creation of the universe. Philo- 

 sophical confusion not infrequently begins with a 

 similar lack of discrimination ; for there is no great 



