General Cosmology

...must. Since no one can understand General Cosmology unless nothing in cosmological notions is left obscure to him—which is self-evident—and since cosmological notions are resolved into ontological notionsOntology is the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of being and existence itself. (§. 2): he who wishes to understand General Cosmology must have clearly understood ontological notions, so that nothing in cosmology remains obscure to him.

Similarly, no one is convinced of the truth of those things demonstrated in Cosmology unless he is familiar with the principles of demonstration encountered there. This means not only that these principles should come to him, as it were, of their own accord when they are used, but also that he should experience a sense of certainty because he remembers the demonstrations he previously weighed and examined (§. 569. Logic). Indeed, since those things demonstrated in Ontology regarding being in general and composite being are applied to the world in General Cosmology (§. 2), and thus the cosmological principles of demonstration are themselves ontological propositions (§. 561. Logic); anyone who wishes to be convinced of the truth of what is taught in Cosmology must be familiar with ontological propositions.

Therefore, if everything is not plain and clear to someone who approaches Cosmology without having first "greeted" original: salutata. This is a polite Latin metaphor for visiting or studying a subject before moving on to another. Ontology, he should blame himself for experiencing difficulties where none truly exist. Thus, whoever finds it a pleasure to embrace the momentous principles of Cosmology with a firm and unshaken assent should not allow his own industry to be found wanting in First PhilosophyAnother name for Metaphysics or Ontology, the most fundamental level of philosophical study.. And so, it is clear when it is possible to progress successfully in the study of General Cosmology. The very citations found throughout this discipline speak abundantly to the fact that without the aid of Ontology, nothing can be achieved. Even these preliminary remarks themselves—in which one is not permitted to observe the highest rigor of demonstration—confirm how much ontological principles contribute to perceiving their truth. Lest anyone take up useless labor, with whatever intent they approach the reading of Cosmology, we have judged it altogether advisable to warn the reader at the very threshold original: in ipso limine of what is best to do.

Vocabulary: Cosmology, Ontology, principles, preliminary remarks, first philosophy, demonstration, the world, notions.