Cosmologia Generalis

[...], although on account of its manifold use in Psychology, Natural Theology, and Physics: a fact which will appear abundantly in its proper place. Nor are these general notions conveniently referred to Physics, as might have seemed possible, because these principles must be used in Natural Theology, which is not uselessly treated before Physics, even though Physics provides principles to experimental Natural Theology—as I call it—to be applied for the sake of confirming the dogmas of demonstrative Natural Theology by the power of cosmological notions acting as guiding principles.

Principles and object of Cosmology

Since in general Cosmology the world or universe is viewed in general as an entity, and indeed a composite and modifiable one (§. 1.), but those things which pertain to an entity in general are handed down in Ontology or first philosophy (§. 1. Ontol.), and indeed the general theory of a composite entity is also handed down in the same (§. 531. et seqq. Ontol.); therefore, in general Cosmology, the theory of an entity in general and the general theory of a composite entity handed down in first philosophy are applied to the world or universe in general, and thus the notions of general Cosmology are to be demonstrated from the principles of first philosophy.

It is therefore evident what is to be treated in Cosmology and how the philosopher fulfills his duty in this part of philosophy. Nor is there any doubt that such a science is possible, of the kind we delineate as general Cosmology. For who is ignorant that the world is an entity, and indeed a composite and modifiable one, when that becomes known to everyone through obvious experience? Wherefore, since those things which are demonstrated in first philosophy concerning an entity in general are true of every entity, and those things which are handed down in first philosophy concerning a composite and modifiable entity can be applied to every composite and modifiable entity, one who would dare deny that the ontological theory concerning an entity in general and a composite and modifiable entity can be applied to Cosmology would not be far from contradiction. Moreover, by the very act, we shall experience that the same can be done when one is pleased to unfold with accurate industry the general Cosmology which we provide here.

Method of confirmation

Since the world that exists lies open to our observations, and therefore the general determinations from it, without which