Cosmologia Generalis

very fitting place in Metaphysics. General Cosmology provides manifold utility in Physics. It itself guards against chimerical notions, which commonly engender inextricable difficulties. It supplies directive notions, of which we have need, lest we wander from the path of truth in inquiring into the causes of phenomena. Finally, it exhibits principles without which we cannot be in physical demonstrations. It is to be attributed to the neglect of this discipline that monsters of the imagination, and within them occult qualities, have been admitted into Physics, and that authors have been ignorant of what is required for the plenary explanation of a phenomenon. I will not speak of the use that General Cosmology has in Psychology and Teleology, because that manifold and illustrious utility in natural Theology and Physics abundantly suffices to commend it or to prove its necessity. From time to time, however, there will be a place in our Leisure Hours to discuss some particular uses, just as in the Hours of the previous year we exhibited the connection of things in human affairs as the foundation of prudence. Therefore, he is utterly mistaken who persuades himself that the principles of Cosmology are sterile; for nothing occurs in it upon which momentous truths do not depend, which could with difficulty be brought to light by any other path. For which reason, we have also taken pains that our industry should not be found wanting in explaining them