PART4
Itseemsstrangetome，saidCLEANTHES，thatyou，DEMEA，whoaresosincereinthecauseofreligion，shouldstillmaintainthemysterious，incomprehensiblenatureoftheDeity，andshouldinsistsostrenuouslythathehasnomanneroflikenessorresemblancetohumancreatures。TheDeity，I
canreadilyallow，possessesmanypowersandattributesofwhichwecanhavenocomprehension：Butifourideas，sofarastheygo，benotjust，andadequate，andcorrespondenttohisrealnature，Iknownotwhatthereisinthissubjectworthinsistingon。Isthename，withoutanymeaning，ofsuchmightyimportance？Orhowdoyoumystics，whomaintaintheabsoluteincomprehensibilityoftheDeity，differfromScepticsorAtheists，whoassert，thatthefirstcauseofallisunknownandunintelligible？Theirtemeritymustbeverygreat，if，afterrejectingtheproductionbyamind，Imeanamindresemblingthehuman，（forI
knowofnoother，）theypretendtoassign，withcertainty，anyotherspecificintelligiblecause：Andtheirconsciencemustbeveryscrupulousindeed，iftheyrefusetocalltheuniversalunknowncauseaGodorDeity;andtobestowonhimasmanysublimeeulogiesandunmeaningepithetsasyoushallpleasetorequireofthem。
Whocouldimagine，repliedDEMEA，thatCLEANTHES，thecalmphilosophicalCLEANTHES，wouldattempttorefutehisantagonistsbyaffixinganicknametothem;and，likethecommonbigotsandinquisitorsoftheage，haverecoursetoinvectiveanddeclamation，insteadofreasoning？Ordoeshenotperceive，thatthesetopicsareeasilyretorted，andthatAnthropomorphiteisanappellationasinvidious，andimpliesasdangerousconsequences，astheepithetofMystic，withwhichhehashonouredus？Inreality，CLEANTHES，considerwhatitisyouassertwhenyourepresenttheDeityassimilartoahumanmindandunderstanding。Whatisthesoulofman？Acompositionofvariousfaculties，passions，sentiments，ideas;united，indeed，intooneselforperson，butstilldistinctfromeachother。Whenitreasons，theideas，whicharethepartsofitsdiscourse，arrangethemselvesinacertainformororder;
whichisnotpreservedentireforamoment，butimmediatelygivesplacetoanotherarrangement。Newopinions，newpassions，newaffections，newfeelingsarise，whichcontinuallydiversifythementalscene，andproduceinitthegreatestvarietyandmostrapidsuccessionimaginable。HowisthiscompatiblewiththatperfectimmutabilityandsimplicitywhichalltrueTheistsascribetotheDeity？Bythesameact，saythey，heseespast，present，andfuture：
Hisloveandhatred，hismercyandjustice，areoneindividualoperation：
Heisentireineverypointofspace;andcompleteineveryinstantofduration。Nosuccession，nochange，noacquisition，nodiminution。Whatheisimpliesnotinitanyshadowofdistinctionordiversity。Andwhatheisthismomentheeverhasbeen，andeverwillbe，withoutanynewjudgement，sentiment，oroperation。Hestandsfixedinonesimple，perfectstate：norcanyoueversay，withanypropriety，thatthisactofhisisdifferentfromthatother;orthatthisjudgementorideahasbeenlatelyformed，andwillgiveplace，bysuccession，toanydifferentjudgementoridea。
Icanreadilyallow，saidCLEANTHES，thatthosewhomaintaintheperfectsimplicityoftheSupremeBeing，totheextentinwhichyouhaveexplainedit，arecompleteMystics，andchargeablewithalltheconsequenceswhichI
havedrawnfromtheiropinion。Theyare，inaword，Atheists，withoutknowingit。Forthoughitbeallowed，thattheDeitypossessesattributesofwhichwehavenocomprehension，yetoughtwenevertoascribetohimanyattributeswhichareabsolutelyincompatiblewiththatintelligentnatureessentialtohim。Amind，whoseactsandsentimentsandideasarenotdistinctandsuccessive;one，thatiswhollysimple，andtotallyimmutable，isamindwhichhasnothought，noreason，nowill，nosentiment，nolove，nohatred;or，inaword，isnomindatall。Itisanabuseoftermstogiveitthatappellation;andwemayaswellspeakoflimitedextensionwithoutfigure，orofnumberwithoutcomposition。
Prayconsider，saidPHILO，whomyouareatpresentinveighingagainst。YouarehonouringwiththeappellationofAtheistallthesound，orthodoxdivines，almost，whohavetreatedofthissubject;andyouwillatlastbe，yourself，found，accordingtoyourreckoning，theonlysoundTheistintheworld。
ButifidolatersbeAtheists，as，Ithink，mayjustlybeasserted，andChristianTheologiansthesame，whatbecomesoftheargument，somuchcelebrated，derivedfromtheuniversalconsentofmankind？
ButbecauseIknowyouarenotmuchswayedbynamesandauthorities，Ishallendeavourtoshowyou，alittlemoredistinctly，theinconveniencesofthatAnthropomorphism，whichyouhaveembraced;andshallprove，thatthereisnogroundtosupposeaplanoftheworldtobeformedintheDivinemind，consistingofdistinctideas，differentlyarranged，inthesamemannerasanarchitectformsinhisheadtheplanofahousewhichheintendstoexecute。
Itisnoteasy，Iown，toseewhatisgainedbythissupposition，whetherwejudgeofthematterbyReasonorbyExperience。Wearestillobligedtomounthigher，inordertofindthecauseofthiscause，whichyouhadassignedassatisfactoryandconclusive。
IfReason（Imeanabstractreason，derivedfrominquiriesapriori）benotalikemutewithregardtoallquestionsconcerningcauseandeffect，thissentenceatleastitwillventuretopronounce，Thatamentalworld，oruniverseofideas，requiresacauseasmuch，asdoesamaterialworld，oruniverseofobjects;and，ifsimilarinitsarrangement，mustrequireasimilarcause。Forwhatisthereinthissubject，whichshouldoccasionadifferentconclusionorinference？Inanabstractview，theyareentirelyalike;
andnodifficultyattendstheonesupposition，whichisnotcommontobothofthem。
Again，whenwewillneedsforceExperiencetopronouncesomesentence，evenonthesesubjectswhichliebeyondhersphere，neithercansheperceiveanymaterialdifferenceinthisparticular，betweenthesetwokindsofworlds;butfindsthemtobegovernedbysimilarprinciples，andtodependuponanequalvarietyofcausesintheiroperations。Wehavespecimensinminiatureofbothofthem。Ourownmindresemblestheone;avegetableoranimalbodytheother。Letexperience，therefore，judgefromthesesamples。Nothingseemsmoredelicate，withregardtoitscauses，thanthought;andasthesecausesneveroperateintwopersonsafterthesamemanner，soweneverfindtwopersonswhothinkexactlyalike。Norindeeddoesthesamepersonthinkexactlyalikeatanytwodifferentperiodsoftime。Adifferenceofage，ofthedispositionofhisbody，ofweather，offood，ofcompany，ofbooks，ofpassions;anyoftheseparticulars，orothersmoreminute，aresufficienttoalterthecuriousmachineryofthought，andcommunicatetoitverydifferentmovementsandoperations。Asfaraswecanjudge，vegetablesandanimalbodiesarenotmoredelicateintheirmotions，nordependuponagreatervarietyormorecuriousadjustmentofspringsandprinciples。
How，therefore，shallwesatisfyourselvesconcerningthecauseofthatBeingwhomyousupposetheAuthorofNature，or，accordingtoyoursystemofAnthropomorphism，theidealworld，intowhichyoutracethematerial？Havewenotthesamereasontotracethatidealworldintoanotheridealworld，ornewintelligentprinciple？Butifwestop，andgonofurther;whygosofar？whynotstopatthematerialworld？
Howcanwesatisfyourselveswithoutgoingonininfinitum？And，afterall，whatsatisfactionisthereinthatinfiniteprogression？LetusrememberthestoryoftheIndianphilosopherandhiselephant。Itwasnevermoreapplicablethantothepresentsubject。Ifthematerialworldrestsuponasimilaridealworld，thisidealworldmustrestuponsomeother;andsoon，withoutend。Itwerebetter，therefore，nevertolookbeyondthepresentmaterialworld。Bysupposingittocontaintheprincipleofitsorderwithinitself，wereallyassertittobeGod;andthesoonerwearriveatthatDivineBeing，somuchthebetter。Whenyougoonestepbeyondthemundanesystem，youonlyexciteaninquisitivehumourwhichitisimpossibleevertosatisfy。
Tosay，thatthedifferentideaswhichcomposethereasonoftheSupremeBeing，fallintoorderofthemselves，andbytheirownnature，isreallytotalkwithoutanyprecisemeaning。
Ifithasameaning，Iwouldfainknow，whyitisnotasgoodsensetosay，thatthepartsofthematerialworldfallintoorderofthemselvesandbytheirownnature。
Cantheoneopinionbeintelligible，whiletheotherisnotso？
Wehave，indeed，experienceofideaswhichfallintoorderofthemselves，andwithoutanyknowncause。But，I
amsure，wehaveamuchlargerexperienceofmatterwhichdoesthesame;as，inallinstancesofgenerationandvegetation，wheretheaccurateanalysisofthecauseexceedsallhumancomprehension。Wehavealsoexperienceofparticularsystemsofthoughtandofmatterwhichhavenoorder;ofthefirstinmadness，ofthesecondincorruption。
Why，then，shouldwethink，thatorderismoreessentialtoonethantheother？Andifitrequiresacauseinboth，whatdowegainbyyoursystem，intracingtheuniverseofobjectsintoasimilaruniverseofideas？Thefirststepwhichwemakeleadsusonforever。Itwere，therefore，wiseinustolimitallourinquiriestothepresentworld，withoutlookingfurther。Nosatisfactioncaneverbeattainedbythesespeculations，whichsofarexceedthenarrowboundsofhumanunderstanding。
ItwasusualwiththePERIPATETICS，youknow，CLEANTHES，whenthecauseofanyphenomenonwasdemanded，tohaverecoursetotheirfacultiesoroccultqualities;andtosay，forinstance，thatbreadnourishedbyitsnutritivefaculty，andsenna19purgedbyitspurgative。Butithasbeendiscovered，thatthissubterfugewasnothingbutthedisguiseofignorance;andthatthesephilosophers，thoughlessingenuous，reallysaidthesamethingwiththescepticsorthevulgar，whofairlyconfessedthattheyknewnotthecauseofthesephenomena。Inlikemanner，whenitisasked，whatcauseproducesorderintheideasoftheSupremeBeing;cananyotherreasonbeassignedbyyou，Anthropomorphites，thanthatitisarationalfaculty，andthatsuchisthenatureoftheDeity？Butwhyasimilaranswerwillnotbeequallysatisfactoryinaccountingfortheorderoftheworld，withouthavingrecoursetoanysuchintelligentcreatorasyouinsiston，maybedifficulttodetermine。
Itisonlytosay，thatsuchisthenatureofmaterialobjects，andthattheyarealloriginallypossessedofafacultyoforderandproportion。Theseareonlymorelearnedandelaboratewaysofconfessingourignorance;norhastheonehypothesisanyrealadvantageabovetheother，exceptinitsgreaterconformitytovulgarprejudices。
Youhavedisplayedthisargumentwithgreatemphasis，repliedCLEANTHES：Youseemnotsensiblehoweasyitistoanswerit。Evenincommonlife，ifIassignacauseforanyevent，isitanyobjection，PHILO，thatIcannotassignthecauseofthatcause，andanswereverynewquestionwhichmayincessantlybestarted？Andwhatphilosopherscouldpossiblysubmittosorigidarule？philosophers，whoconfessultimatecausestobetotallyunknown;andaresensible，thatthemostrefinedprinciplesintowhichtheytracethephenomena，arestilltothemasinexplicableasthesephenomenathemselvesaretothevulgar。Theorderandarrangementofnature，thecuriousadjustmentoffinalcauses，theplainuseandintentionofeverypartandorgan;allthesebespeakintheclearestlanguageanintelligentcauseorauthor。Theheavensandtheearthjoininthesametestimony：
ThewholechorusofNatureraisesonehymntothepraisesofitsCreator。Youalone，oralmostalone，disturbthisgeneralharmony。Youstartabstrusedoubts，cavils，andobjections：Youaskme，whatisthecauseofthiscause？
Iknownot;Icarenot;thatconcernsnotme。I
havefoundaDeity;andhereIstopmyinquiry。Letthosegofurther，whoarewiserormoreenterprising。
Ipretendtobeneither，repliedPHILO：Andforthatveryreason，Ishouldneverperhapshaveattemptedtogosofar;especiallywhenIamsensible，thatImustatlastbecontentedtositdownwiththesameanswer，which，withoutfurthertrouble，mighthavesatisfiedmefromthebeginning。
IfIamstilltoremaininutterignoranceofcauses，andcanabsolutelygiveanexplicationofnothing，Ishallneveresteemitanyadvantagetoshoveoffforamomentadifficulty，which，youacknowledge，mustimmediately，initsfullforce，recuruponme。Naturalistsindeedveryjustlyexplainparticulareffectsbymoregeneralcauses，thoughthesegeneralcausesthemselvesshouldremainintheendtotallyinexplicable;buttheyneversurelythoughtitsatisfactorytoexplainaparticulareffectbyaparticularcause，whichwasnomoretobeaccountedforthantheeffectitself。Anidealsystem，arrangedofitself，withoutaprecedentdesign，isnotawhitmoreexplicablethanamaterialone，whichattainsitsorderinalikemanner;noristhereanymoredifficultyinthelattersuppositionthanintheformer。
PART5
Buttoshowyoustillmoreinconveniences，continuedPHILO，inyourAnthropomorphism，pleasetotakeanewsurveyofyourprinciples。Likeeffectsprovelikecauses。Thisistheexperimentalargument;andthis，yousaytoo，isthesoletheologicalargument。Now，itiscertain，thatthelikertheeffectsarewhichareseen，andthelikerthecauseswhichareinferred，thestrongeristheargument。Everydepartureoneithersidediminishestheprobability，andrenderstheexperimentlessconclusive。Youcannotdoubtoftheprinciple;neitheroughtyoutorejectitsconsequences。
Allthenewdiscoveriesinastronomy，whichprovetheimmensegrandeurandmagnificenceoftheworksofNature，aresomanyadditionalargumentsforaDeity，accordingtothetruesystemofTheism;but，accordingtoyourhypothesisofexperimentalTheism，theybecomesomanyobjections，byremovingtheeffectstillfurtherfromallresemblancetotheeffectsofhumanartandcontrivance。For，ifLUCRETIUS，evenfollowingtheoldsystemoftheworld，couldexclaim，Quisregereimmensisummam，quishabereprofundiIndumanuvalidaspotisestmoderanterhabenas？
Quisparitercoelosomnesconvertere？etomnesIgnibusaetheriisterrassuffireferaces？
Omnibusinquelocisesseomnitemporepraesto？20
IfTULLYesteemedthisreasoningsonatural，astoputitintothemouthofhisEPICUREAN：
\"QuibusenimoculisanimiintueripotuitvesterPlatofabricamillamtantioperis，quaconstruiaDeoatqueaedificarimundumfacit？quaemolitio？quaeferramenta？quivectes？quaemachinae？quiministritantimunerisfuerunt？quemadmodumautemobedireetparerevoluntatiarchitectiaer，ignis，aqua，terrapotuerunt？\"21
Ifthisargument，Isay，hadanyforceinformerages，howmuchgreatermustithaveatpresent，whentheboundsofNaturearesoinfinitelyenlarged，andsuchamagnificentsceneisopenedtous？Itisstillmoreunreasonabletoformourideaofsounlimitedacausefromourexperienceofthenarrowproductionsofhumandesignandinvention。
Thediscoveriesbymicroscopes，astheyopenanewuniverseinminiature，arestillobjections，accordingtoyou，arguments，accordingtome。Thefurtherwepushourresearchesofthiskind，wearestillledtoinfertheuniversalcauseofalltobevastlydifferentfrommankind，orfromanyobjectofhumanexperienceandobservation。
Andwhatsayyoutothediscoveriesinanatomy，chemistry，botany？Thesesurelyarenoobjections，repliedCLEANTHES;theyonlydiscovernewinstancesofartandcontrivance。
Itisstilltheimageofmindreflectedonusfrominnumerableobjects。Add，amindlikethehuman，saidPHILO。Iknowofnoother，repliedCLEANTHES。Andthelikerthebetter，insistedPHILO。Tobesure，saidCLEANTHES。
Now，CLEANTHES，saidPHILO，withanairofalacrityandtriumph，marktheconsequences。First，Bythismethodofreasoning，yourenounceallclaimtoinfinityinanyoftheattributesoftheDeity。For，asthecauseoughtonlytobeproportionedtotheeffect，andtheeffect，sofarasitfallsunderourcognisance，isnotinfinite;whatpretensionshavewe，uponyoursuppositions，toascribethatattributetotheDivineBeing？Youwillstillinsist，that，byremovinghimsomuchfromallsimilaritytohumancreatures，wegiveintothemostarbitraryhypothesis，andatthesametimeweakenallproofsofhisexistence。
Secondly，Youhavenoreason，onyourtheory，forascribingperfectiontotheDeity，eveninhisfinitecapacity，orforsupposinghimfreefromeveryerror，mistake，orincoherence，inhisundertakings。TherearemanyinexplicabledifficultiesintheworksofNature，which，ifweallowaperfectauthortobeprovedapriori，areeasilysolved，andbecomeonlyseemingdifficulties，fromthenarrowcapacityofman，whocannottraceinfiniterelations。
Butaccordingtoyourmethodofreasoning，thesedifficultiesbecomeallreal;andperhapswillbeinsistedon，asnewinstancesoflikenesstohumanartandcontrivance。Atleast，youmustacknowledge，thatitisimpossibleforustotell，fromourlimitedviews，whetherthissystemcontainsanygreatfaults，ordeservesanyconsiderablepraise，ifcomparedtootherpossible，andevenrealsystems。Couldapeasant，iftheAeneidwerereadtohim，pronouncethatpoemtobeabsolutelyfaultless，orevenassigntoititsproperrankamongtheproductionsofhumanwit，he，whohadneverseenanyotherproduction？
Butwerethisworldeversoperfectaproduction，itmuststillremainuncertain，whetheralltheexcellencesoftheworkcanjustlybeascribedtotheworkman。Ifwesurveyaship，whatanexaltedideamustweformoftheingenuityofthecarpenterwhoframedsocomplicated，useful，andbeautifulamachine？Andwhatsurprisemustwefeel，whenwefindhimastupidmechanic，whoimitatedothers，andcopiedanart，which，throughalongsuccessionofages，aftermultipliedtrials，mistakes，corrections，deliberations，andcontroversies，hadbeengraduallyimproving？
Manyworldsmighthavebeenbotchedandbungled，throughoutaneternity，erethissystemwasstruckout;muchlabourlost，manyfruitlesstrialsmade;andaslow，butcontinuedimprovementcarriedonduringinfiniteagesintheartofworld-making。Insuchsubjects，whocandetermine，wherethetruth;nay，whocanconjecturewheretheprobabilitylies，amidstagreatnumberofhypotheseswhichmaybeproposed，andastillgreaterwhichmaybeimagined？
Andwhatshadowofanargument，continuedPHILO，canyouproduce，fromyourhypothesis，toprovetheunityoftheDeity？Agreatnumberofmenjoininbuildingahouseorship，inrearingacity，inframingacommonwealth;
whymaynotseveraldeitiescombineincontrivingandframingaworld？
Thisisonlysomuchgreatersimilaritytohumanaffairs。Bysharingtheworkamongseveral，wemaysomuchfurtherlimittheattributesofeach，andgetridofthatextensivepowerandknowledge，whichmustbesupposedinonedeity，andwhich，accordingtoyou，canonlyservetoweakentheproofofhisexistence。Andifsuchfoolish，suchviciouscreaturesasman，canyetoftenuniteinframingandexecutingoneplan，howmuchmorethosedeitiesordemons，whomwemaysupposeseveraldegreesmoreperfect！
Tomultiplycauseswithoutnecessity，isindeedcontrarytotruephilosophy：butthisprincipleappliesnottothepresentcase。Wereonedeityantecedentlyprovedbyyourtheory，whowerepossessedofeveryattributerequisitetotheproductionoftheuniverse;itwouldbeneedless，Iown，（thoughnotabsurd，）tosupposeanyotherdeityexistent。Butwhileitisstillaquestion，Whetheralltheseattributesareunitedinonesubject，ordispersedamongseveralindependentbeings，bywhatphenomenainnaturecanwepretendtodecidethecontroversy？Whereweseeabodyraisedinascale，wearesurethatthereisintheoppositescale，howeverconcealedfromsight，somecounterpoisingweightequaltoit;butitisstillallowedtodoubt，whetherthatweightbeanaggregateofseveraldistinctbodies，oroneuniformunitedmass。Andiftheweightrequisiteverymuchexceedsanythingwhichwehaveeverseenconjoinedinanysinglebody，theformersuppositionbecomesstillmoreprobableandnatural。Anintelligentbeingofsuchvastpowerandcapacityasisnecessarytoproducetheuniverse，or，tospeakinthelanguageofancientphilosophy，soprodigiousananimalexceedsallanalogy，andevencomprehension。
Butfurther，CLEANTHES：menaremortal，andrenewtheirspeciesbygeneration;andthisiscommontoalllivingcreatures。Thetwogreatsexesofmaleandfemale，saysMILTON，animatetheworld。Whymustthiscircumstance，souniversal，soessential，beexcludedfromthosenumerousandlimiteddeities？Behold，then，thetheogonyofancienttimesbroughtbackuponus。
AndwhynotbecomeaperfectAnthropomorphite？
Whynotassertthedeityordeitiestobecorporeal，andtohaveeyes，anose，mouth，ears，&c。？EPICURUSmaintained，thatnomanhadeverseenreasonbutinahumanfigure;
thereforethegodsmusthaveahumanfigure。Andthisargument，whichisdeservedlysomuchridiculedbyCICERO，becomes，accordingtoyou，solidandphilosophical。
Inaword，CLEANTHES，amanwhofollowsyourhypothesisisableperhapstoassert，orconjecture，thattheuniverse，sometime，arosefromsomethinglikedesign：butbeyondthatpositionhecannotascertainonesinglecircumstance;andisleftafterwardstofixeverypointofhistheologybytheutmostlicenseoffancyandhypothesis。
Thisworld，foraughtheknows，isveryfaultyandimperfect，comparedtoasuperiorstandard;andwasonlythefirstrudeessayofsomeinfantdeity，whoafterwardsabandonedit，ashamedofhislameperformance：itistheworkonlyofsomedependent，inferiordeity;andistheobjectofderisiontohissuperiors：itistheproductionofoldageanddotageinsomesuperannuateddeity;andeversincehisdeath，hasrunonatadventures，fromthefirstimpulseandactiveforcewhichitreceivedfromhim。Youjustlygivesignsofhorror，DEMEA，atthesestrangesuppositions;butthese，andathousandmoreofthesamekind，areCLEANTHES’ssuppositions，notmine。FromthemomenttheattributesoftheDeityaresupposedfinite，allthesehaveplace。
AndIcannot，formypart，thinkthatsowildandunsettledasystemoftheologyis，inanyrespect，preferabletononeatall。
ThesesuppositionsIabsolutelydisown，criedCLEANTHES：theystrikeme，however，withnohorror，especiallywhenproposedinthatramblingwayinwhichtheydropfromyou。Onthecontrary，theygivemepleasure，whenI
see，that，bytheutmostindulgenceofyourimagination，younevergetridofthehypothesisofdesignintheuniverse，butareobligedateveryturntohaverecoursetoit。TothisconcessionIadheresteadily;andthisIregardasasufficientfoundationforreligion。
PART6
Itmustbeaslightfabric，indeed，saidDEMEA，whichcanbeerectedonsototteringafoundation。Whileweareuncertainwhetherthereisonedeityormany;whetherthedeityordeities，towhomweoweourexistence，beperfectorimperfect，subordinateorsupreme，deadoralive，whattrustorconfidencecanwereposeinthem？Whatdevotionorworshipaddresstothem？Whatvenerationorobediencepaythem？Toallthepurposesoflifethetheoryofreligionbecomesaltogetheruseless：andevenwithregardtospeculativeconsequences，itsuncertainty，accordingtoyou，mustrenderittotallyprecariousandunsatisfactory。
Torenderitstillmoreunsatisfactory，saidPHILO，thereoccurstomeanotherhypothesis，whichmustacquireanairofprobabilityfromthemethodofreasoningsomuchinsistedonbyCLEANTHES。Thatlikeeffectsarisefromlikecauses：thisprinciplehesupposesthefoundationofallreligion。
Butthereisanotherprincipleofthesamekind，nolesscertain，andderivedfromthesamesourceofexperience;thatwhereseveralknowncircumstancesareobservedtobesimilar，theunknownwillalsobefoundsimilar。Thus，ifweseethelimbsofahumanbody，weconcludethatitisalsoattendedwithahumanhead，thoughhidfromus。Thus，ifwesee，throughachinkinawall，asmallpartofthesun，weconclude，that，werethewallremoved，weshouldseethewholebody。Inshort，thismethodofreasoningissoobviousandfamiliar，thatnoscruplecaneverbemadewithregardtoitssolidity。
Now，ifwesurveytheuniverse，sofarasitfallsunderourknowledge，itbearsagreatresemblancetoananimalororganisedbody，andseemsactuatedwithalikeprincipleoflifeandmotion。Acontinualcirculationofmatterinitproducesnodisorder：acontinualwasteineverypartisincessantlyrepaired：theclosestsympathyisperceivedthroughouttheentiresystem：andeachpartormember，inperformingitsproperoffices，operatesbothtoitsownpreservationandtothatofthewhole。Theworld，therefore，Iinfer，isananimal;andtheDeityistheSOULoftheworld，actuatingit，andactuatedbyit。
Youhavetoomuchlearning，CLEANTHES，tobeatallsurprisedatthisopinion，which，youknow，wasmaintainedbyalmostalltheTheistsofantiquity，andchieflyprevailsintheirdiscoursesandreasonings。Forthough，sometimes，theancientphilosophersreasonfromfinalcauses，asiftheythoughttheworldtheworkmanshipofGod;
yetitappearsrathertheirfavouritenotiontoconsideritashisbody，whoseorganisationrendersitsubservienttohim。Anditmustbeconfessed，that，astheuniverseresemblesmoreahumanbodythanitdoestheworksofhumanartandcontrivance，ifourlimitedanalogycouldever，withanypropriety，beextendedtothewholeofnature，theinferenceseemsjusterinfavouroftheancientthanthemoderntheory。
Therearemanyotheradvantages，too，intheformertheory，whichrecommendedittotheancienttheologians。
Nothingmorerepugnanttoalltheirnotions，becausenothingmorerepugnanttocommonexperience，thanmindwithoutbody;amerespiritualsubstance，whichfellnotundertheirsensesnorcomprehension，andofwhichtheyhadnotobservedonesingleinstancethroughoutallnature。Mindandbodytheyknew，becausetheyfeltboth：anorder，arrangement，organisation，orinternalmachinery，inboth，theylikewiseknew，afterthesamemanner：anditcouldnotbutseemreasonabletotransferthisexperiencetotheuniverse;
andtosupposethedivinemindandbodytobealsocoeval，andtohave，bothofthem，orderandarrangementnaturallyinherentinthem，andinseparablefromthem。
Here，therefore，isanewspeciesofAnthropomorphism，CLEANTHES，onwhichyoumaydeliberate;andatheorywhichseemsnotliabletoanyconsiderabledifficulties。Youaretoomuchsuperior，surely，tosystematicalprejudices，tofindanymoredifficultyinsupposingananimalbodytobe，originally，ofitself，orfromunknowncauses，possessedoforderandorganisation，thaninsupposingasimilarordertobelongtomind。Butthevulgarprejudice，thatbodyandmindoughtalwaystoaccompanyeachother，oughtnot，oneshouldthink，tobeentirelyneglected;
sinceitisfoundedonvulgarexperience，theonlyguidewhichyouprofesstofollowinallthesetheologicalinquiries。
Andifyouassert，thatourlimitedexperienceisanunequalstandard，bywhichtojudgeoftheunlimitedextentofnature;youentirelyabandonyourownhypothesis，andmustthenceforwardadoptourMysticism，asyoucallit，andadmitoftheabsoluteincomprehensibilityoftheDivineNature。
Thistheory，Iown，repliedCLEANTHES，hasneverbeforeoccurredtome，thoughaprettynaturalone;andI
cannotreadily，uponsoshortanexaminationandreflection，deliveranyopinionwithregardtoit。Youareveryscrupulous，indeed，saidPHILO：wereItoexamineanysystemofyours，Ishouldnothaveactedwithhalfthatcautionandreserve，instartingobjectionsanddifficultiestoit。However，ifanythingoccurtoyou，youwillobligeusbyproposingit。
Whythen，repliedCLEANTHES，itseemstome，that，thoughtheworlddoes，inmanycircumstances，resembleananimalbody;yetistheanalogyalsodefectiveinmanycircumstancesthemostmaterial：noorgansofsense;noseatofthoughtorreason;noonepreciseoriginofmotionandaction。
Inshort，itseemstobearastrongerresemblancetoavegetablethantoananimal，andyourinferencewouldbesofarinconclusiveinfavourofthesouloftheworld。
But，inthenextplace，yourtheoryseemstoimplytheeternityoftheworld;andthatisaprinciple，which，I
think，canberefutedbythestrongestreasonsandprobabilities。I
shallsuggestanargumenttothispurpose，which，I
believe，hasnotbeeninsistedonbyanywriter。Those，whoreasonfromthelateoriginofartsandsciences，thoughtheirinferencewantsnotforce，mayperhapsberefutedbyconsiderationsderivedfromthenatureofhumansociety，whichisincontinualrevolution，betweenignoranceandknowledge，libertyandslavery，richesandpoverty;sothatitisimpossibleforus，fromourlimitedexperience，toforetellwithassurancewhateventsmayormaynotbeexpected。
Ancientlearningandhistoryseemtohavebeeningreatdangerofentirelyperishingaftertheinundationofthebarbarousnations;andhadtheseconvulsionscontinuedalittlelonger，orbeenalittlemoreviolent，weshouldnotprobablyhavenowknownwhatpassedintheworldafewcenturiesbeforeus。Nay，wereitnotforthesuperstitionofthePopes，whopreservedalittlejargonofLatin，inordertosupporttheappearanceofanancientanduniversalchurch，thattonguemusthavebeenutterlylost;inwhichcase，theWesternworld，beingtotallybarbarous，wouldnothavebeeninafitdispositionforreceivingtheGREEKlanguageandlearning，whichwasconveyedtothemafterthesackingofCONSTANTINOPLE。Whenlearningandbookshadbeenextinguished，eventhemechanicalartswouldhavefallenconsiderablytodecay;anditiseasilyimagined，thatfableortraditionmightascribetothemamuchlateroriginthanthetrueone。Thisvulgarargument，therefore，againsttheeternityoftheworld，seemsalittleprecarious。
Buthereappearstobethefoundationofabetterargument。LUCULLUSwasthefirstthatbroughtcherry-treesfromASIAtoEUROPE;thoughthattreethrivessowellinmanyEUROPEAN
climates，thatitgrowsinthewoodswithoutanyculture。Isitpossible，thatthroughoutawholeeternity，noEUROPEANhadeverpassedintoASIA，andthoughtoftransplantingsodeliciousafruitintohisowncountry？
Orifthetreewasoncetransplantedandpropagated，howcoulditeverafterwardsperish？Empiresmayriseandfall，libertyandslaverysucceedalternately，ignoranceandknowledgegiveplacetoeachother;butthecherry-treewillstillremaininthewoodsofGREECE，SPAIN，andITALY，andwillneverbeaffectedbytherevolutionsofhumansociety。
ItisnottwothousandyearssincevinesweretransplantedintoFRANCE，thoughthereisnoclimateintheworldmorefavourabletothem。Itisnotthreecenturiessincehorses，cows，sheep，swine，dogs，corn，wereknowninAMERICA。Isitpossible，thatduringtherevolutionsofawholeeternity，thereneveraroseaCOLUMBUS，whomightopenthecommunicationbetweenEUROPEandthatcontinent？Wemayaswellimagine，thatallmenwouldwearstockingsfortenthousandyears，andneverhavethesensetothinkofgarterstotiethem。Alltheseseemconvincingproofsoftheyouth，orratherinfancy，oftheworld;asbeingfoundedontheoperationofprinciplesmoreconstantandsteadythanthosebywhichhumansocietyisgovernedanddirected。NothinglessthanatotalconvulsionoftheelementswilleverdestroyalltheEUROPEANanimalsandvegetableswhicharenowtobefoundintheWesternworld。
Andwhatargumenthaveyouagainstsuchconvulsions？
repliedPHILO。Strongandalmostincontestableproofsmaybetracedoverthewholeearth，thateverypartofthisglobehascontinuedformanyagesentirelycoveredwithwater。Andthoughorderweresupposedinseparablefrommatter，andinherentinit;yetmaymatterbesusceptibleofmanyandgreatrevolutions，throughtheendlessperiodsofeternalduration。Theincessantchanges，towhicheverypartofitissubject，seemtointimatesomesuchgeneraltransformations;
though，atthesametime，itisobservable，thatallthechangesandcorruptionsofwhichwehaveeverhadexperience，arebutpassagesfromonestateofordertoanother;norcanmattereverrestintotaldeformityandconfusion。
Whatweseeintheparts，wemayinferinthewhole;atleast，thatisthemethodofreasoningonwhichyourestyourwholetheory。AndwereIobligedtodefendanyparticularsystemofthisnature，whichIneverwillinglyshoulddo，Iesteemnonemoreplausiblethanthatwhichascribesaneternalinherentprincipleofordertotheworld，thoughattendedwithgreatandcontinualrevolutionsandalterations。Thisatoncesolvesalldifficulties;andifthesolution，bybeingsogeneral，isnotentirelycompleteandsatisfactory，itisatleastatheorythatwemustsoonerorlaterhaverecourseto，whateversystemweembrace。Howcouldthingshavebeenastheyare，weretherenotanoriginalinherentprincipleofordersomewhere，inthoughtorinmatter？Anditisveryindifferenttowhichofthesewegivethepreference。Chancehasnoplace，onanyhypothesis，scepticalorreligious。Everythingissurelygovernedbysteady，inviolablelaws。Andweretheinmostessenceofthingslaidopentous，weshouldthendiscoverascene，ofwhich，atpresent，wecanhavenoidea。Insteadofadmiringtheorderofnaturalbeings，weshouldclearlyseethatitwasabsolutelyimpossibleforthem，inthesmallestarticle，evertoadmitofanyotherdisposition。
WereanyoneinclinedtorevivetheancientPaganTheology，whichmaintained，aswelearnfromHESIOD，thatthisglobewasgovernedby30，000deities，whoarosefromtheunknownpowersofnature：youwouldnaturallyobject，CLEANTHES，thatnothingisgainedbythishypothesis;andthatitisaseasytosupposeallmenanimals，beingsmorenumerous，butlessperfect，tohavesprungimmediatelyfromalikeorigin。Pushthesameinferenceastepfurther，andyouwillfindanumeroussocietyofdeitiesasexplicableasoneuniversaldeity，whopossesseswithinhimselfthepowersandperfectionsofthewholesociety。Allthesesystems，then，ofScepticism，Polytheism，andTheism，youmustallow，onyourprinciples，tobeonalikefooting，andthatnooneofthemhasanyadvantageovertheothers。Youmaythencelearnthefallacyofyourprinciples。
PART7
Buthere，continuedPHILO，inexaminingtheancientsystemofthesouloftheworld，therestrikesme，allonasudden，anewidea，which，ifjust，mustgoneartosubvertallyourreasoning，anddestroyevenyourfirstinferences，onwhichyoureposesuchconfidence。Iftheuniversebearsagreaterlikenesstoanimalbodiesandtovegetables，thantotheworksofhumanart，itismoreprobablethatitscauseresemblesthecauseoftheformerthanthatofthelatter，anditsoriginoughtrathertobeascribedtogenerationorvegetation，thantoreasonordesign。Yourconclusion，evenaccordingtoyourownprinciples，isthereforelameanddefective。
Prayopenupthisargumentalittlefurther，saidDEMEA，forIdonotrightlyapprehenditinthatconcisemannerinwhichyouhaveexpressedit。
OurfriendCLEANTHES，repliedPHILO，asyouhaveheard，asserts，thatsincenoquestionoffactcanbeprovedotherwisethanbyexperience，theexistenceofaDeityadmitsnotofprooffromanyothermedium。Theworld，sayshe，resemblestheworksofhumancontrivance;thereforeitscausemustalsoresemblethatoftheother。Herewemayremark，thattheoperationofoneverysmallpartofnature，towitman，uponanotherverysmallpart，towitthatinanimatematterlyingwithinhisreach，istherulebywhichCLEANTHES
judgesoftheoriginofthewhole;andhemeasuresobjects，sowidelydisproportioned，bythesameindividualstandard。Buttowaiveallobjectionsdrawnfromthistopic，Iaffirm，thatthereareotherpartsoftheuniverse（besidesthemachinesofhumaninvention）whichbearstillagreaterresemblancetothefabricoftheworld，andwhich，therefore，affordabetterconjectureconcerningtheuniversaloriginofthissystem。Thesepartsareanimalsandvegetables。
Theworldplainlyresemblesmoreananimaloravegetable，thanitdoesawatchoraknitting-loom。Itscause，therefore，itismoreprobable，resemblesthecauseoftheformer。Thecauseoftheformerisgenerationorvegetation。
Thecause，therefore，oftheworld，wemayinfertobesomethingsimilaroranalogoustogenerationorvegetation。
Buthowisitconceivable，saidDEMEA，thattheworldcanarisefromanythingsimilartovegetationorgeneration？
Veryeasily，repliedPHILO。Inlikemannerasatreeshedsitsseedintotheneighbouringfields，andproducesothertrees;sothegreatvegetable，theworld，orthisplanetarysystem，produceswithinitselfcertainseeds，which，beingscatteredintothesurroundingchaos，vegetateintonewworlds。
Acomet，forinstance，istheseedofaworld;
andafterithasbeenfullyripened，bypassingfromsuntosun，andstartostar，itisatlasttossedintotheunformedelementswhicheverywheresurroundthisuniverse，andimmediatelysproutsupintoanewsystem。
Orif，forthesakeofvariety（forIseenootheradvantage），weshouldsupposethisworldtobeananimal;acometistheeggofthisanimal：andinlikemannerasanostrichlaysitsegginthesand，which，withoutanyfurthercare，hatchestheegg，andproducesanewanimal;so……
Iunderstandyou，saysDEMEA：Butwhatwild，arbitrarysuppositionsarethese！Whatdatahaveyouforsuchextraordinaryconclusions？Andistheslight，imaginaryresemblanceoftheworldtoavegetableorananimalsufficienttoestablishthesameinferencewithregardtoboth？Objects，whichareingeneralsowidelydifferent，oughttheytobeastandardforeachother？
Right，criesPHILO：ThisisthetopiconwhichIhaveallalonginsisted。Ihavestillasserted，thatwehavenodatatoestablishanysystemofcosmogony。Ourexperience，soimperfectinitself，andsolimitedbothinextentandduration，canaffordusnoprobableconjectureconcerningthewholeofthings。Butifwemustneedsfixonsomehypothesis;bywhatrule，pray，oughtwetodetermineourchoice？Isthereanyotherrulethanthegreatersimilarityoftheobjectscompared？Anddoesnotaplantorananimal，whichspringsfromvegetationorgeneration，bearastrongerresemblancetotheworld，thandoesanyartificialmachine，whicharisesfromreasonanddesign？
Butwhatisthisvegetationandgenerationofwhichyoutalk？saidDEMEA。Canyouexplaintheiroperations，andanatomisethatfineinternalstructureonwhichtheydepend？
Asmuch，atleast，repliedPHILO，asCLEANTHES
canexplaintheoperationsofreason，oranatomisethatinternalstructureonwhichitdepends。Butwithoutanysuchelaboratedisquisitions，whenIseeananimal，Iinfer，thatitsprangfromgeneration;andthatwithasgreatcertaintyasyouconcludeahousetohavebeenrearedbydesign。Thesewords，generation，reason，markonlycertainpowersandenergiesinnature，whoseeffectsareknown，butwhoseessenceisincomprehensible;andoneoftheseprinciples，morethantheother，hasnoprivilegeforbeingmadeastandardtothewholeofnature。
Inreality，DEMEA，itmayreasonablybeexpected，thatthelargertheviewsarewhichwetakeofthings，thebetterwilltheyconductusinourconclusionsconcerningsuchextraordinaryandsuchmagnificentsubjects。Inthislittlecorneroftheworldalone，therearefourprinciples，reason，instinct，generation，vegetation，whicharesimilartoeachother，andarethecausesofsimilareffects。Whatanumberofotherprinciplesmaywenaturallysupposeintheimmenseextentandvarietyoftheuniverse，couldwetravelfromplanettoplanet，andfromsystemtosystem，inordertoexamineeachpartofthismightyfabric？Anyoneofthesefourprinciplesabovementioned，（andahundredotherswhichlieopentoourconjecture，）mayaffordusatheorybywhichtojudgeoftheoriginoftheworld;anditisapalpableandegregiouspartialitytoconfineourviewentirelytothatprinciplebywhichourownmindsoperate。
Werethisprinciplemoreintelligibleonthataccount，suchapartialitymightbesomewhatexcusable：Butreason，initsinternalfabricandstructure，isreallyaslittleknowntousasinstinctorvegetation;and，perhaps，eventhatvague，indeterminateword，Nature，towhichthevulgarrefereverything，isnotatthebottommoreinexplicable。Theeffectsoftheseprinciplesareallknowntousfromexperience;buttheprinciplesthemselves，andtheirmannerofoperation，aretotallyunknown;norisitlessintelligible，orlessconformabletoexperience，tosay，thattheworldarosebyvegetation，fromaseedshedbyanotherworld，thantosaythatitarosefromadivinereasonorcontrivance，accordingtothesenseinwhichCLEANTHESunderstandsit。
Butmethinks，saidDEMEA，iftheworldhadavegetativequality，andcouldsowtheseedsofnewworldsintotheinfinitechaos，thispowerwouldbestillanadditionalargumentfordesigninitsauthor。Forwhencecouldarisesowonderfulafacultybutfromdesign？Orhowcanorderspringfromanythingwhichperceivesnotthatorderwhichitbestows？
Youneedonlylookaroundyou，repliedPHILO，tosatisfyyourselfwithregardtothisquestion。Atreebestowsorderandorganisationonthattreewhichspringsfromit，withoutknowingtheorder;ananimalinthesamemanneronitsoffspring;abirdonitsnest;andinstancesofthiskindareevenmorefrequentintheworldthanthoseoforder，whicharisefromreasonandcontrivance。Tosay，thatallthisorderinanimalsandvegetablesproceedsultimatelyfromdesign，isbeggingthequestion;norcanthatgreatpointbeascertainedotherwisethanbyproving，apriori，boththatorderis，fromitsnature，inseparablyattachedtothought;andthatitcanneverofitself，orfromoriginalunknownprinciples，belongtomatter。
Butfurther，DEMEA;thisobjectionwhichyouurgecanneverbemadeuseofbyCLEANTHES，withoutrenouncingadefencewhichhehasalreadymadeagainstoneofmyobjections。
WhenIinquiredconcerningthecauseofthatsupremereasonandintelligenceintowhichheresolveseverything;hetoldme，thattheimpossibilityofsatisfyingsuchinquiriescouldneverbeadmittedasanobjectioninanyspeciesofphilosophy。Wemuststopsomewhere，sayshe;norisiteverwithinthereachofhumancapacitytoexplainultimatecauses，orshowthelastconnectionsofanyobjects。Itissufficient，ifanysteps，sofaraswego，aresupportedbyexperienceandobservation。
Now，thatvegetationandgeneration，aswellasreason，areexperiencedtobeprinciplesoforderinnature，isundeniable。IfIrestmysystemofcosmogonyontheformer，preferablytothelatter，itisatmychoice。Thematterseemsentirelyarbitrary。AndwhenCLEANTHESasksmewhatisthecauseofmygreatvegetativeorgenerativefaculty，Iamequallyentitledtoaskhimthecauseofhisgreatreasoningprinciple。Thesequestionswehaveagreedtoforbearonbothsides;anditischieflyhisinterestonthepresentoccasiontosticktothisagreement。Judgingbyourlimitedandimperfectexperience，generationhassomeprivilegesabovereason：forweseeeverydaythelatterarisefromtheformer，nevertheformerfromthelatter。
Compare，Ibeseechyou，theconsequencesonbothsides。Theworld，sayI，resemblesananimal;thereforeitisananimal，thereforeitarosefromgeneration。Thesteps，Iconfess，arewide;yetthereissomesmallappearanceofanalogyineachstep。Theworld，saysCLEANTHES，resemblesamachine;
thereforeitisamachine，thereforeitarosefromdesign。Thestepsarehereequallywide，andtheanalogylessstriking。Andifhepretendstocarryonmyhypothesisastepfurther，andtoinferdesignorreasonfromthegreatprincipleofgeneration，onwhichIinsist;I
may，withbetterauthority，usethesamefreedomtopushfurtherhishypothesis，andinferadivinegenerationortheogonyfromhisprincipleofreason。Ihaveatleastsomefaintshadowofexperience，whichistheutmostthatcaneverbeattainedinthepresentsubject。Reason，ininnumerableinstances，isobservedtoarisefromtheprincipleofgeneration，andnevertoarisefromanyotherprinciple。
HESIOD，andalltheancientmythologists，weresostruckwiththisanalogy，thattheyuniversallyexplainedtheoriginofnaturefromananimalbirth，andcopulation。PLATOtoo，sofarasheisintelligible，seemstohaveadoptedsomesuchnotioninhisTIMAEUS。
TheBRAHMINSassert，thattheworldarosefromaninfinitespider，whospunthiswholecomplicatedmassfromhisbowels，andannihilatesafterwardsthewholeoranypartofit，byabsorbingitagain，andresolvingitintohisownessence。Hereisaspeciesofcosmogony，whichappearstousridiculous;
becauseaspiderisalittlecontemptibleanimal，whoseoperationsweareneverlikelytotakeforamodelofthewholeuniverse。Butstillhereisanewspeciesofanalogy，eveninourglobe。Andwerethereaplanetwhollyinhabitedbyspiders，（whichisverypossible，）
thisinferencewouldthereappearasnaturalandirrefragableasthatwhichinourplanetascribestheoriginofallthingstodesignandintelligence，asexplainedbyCLEANTHES。Whyanorderlysystemmaynotbespunfromthebellyaswellasfromthebrain，itwillbedifficultforhimtogiveasatisfactoryreason。
Imustconfess，PHILO，repliedCLEANTHES，thatofallmenliving，thetaskwhichyouhaveundertaken，ofraisingdoubtsandobjections，suitsyoubest，andseems，inamanner，naturalandunavoidabletoyou。Sogreatisyourfertilityofinvention，thatIamnotashamedtoacknowledgemyselfunable，onasudden，tosolveregularlysuchout-of-the-waydifficultiesasyouincessantlystartuponme：thoughIclearlysee，ingeneral，theirfallacyanderror。
AndIquestionnot，butyouareyourself，atpresent，inthesamecase，andhavenotthesolutionsoreadyastheobjection：whileyoumustbesensible，thatcommonsenseandreasonareentirelyagainstyou;andthatsuchwhimsiesasyouhavedelivered，maypuzzle，butnevercanconvinceus。
PART8
Whatyouascribetothefertilityofmyinvention，repliedPHILO，isentirelyowingtothenatureofthesubject。
Insubjectsadaptedtothenarrowcompassofhumanreason，thereiscommonlybutonedetermination，whichcarriesprobabilityorconvictionwithit;andtoamanofsoundjudgement，allothersuppositions，butthatone，appearentirelyabsurdandchimerical。Butinsuchquestionsasthepresent，ahundredcontradictoryviewsmaypreserveakindofimperfectanalogy;andinventionhasherefullscopetoexertitself。Withoutanygreateffortofthought，I
believethatIcould，inaninstant，proposeothersystemsofcosmogony，whichwouldhavesomefaintappearanceoftruth，thoughitisathousand，amilliontoone，ifeitheryoursoranyoneofminebethetruesystem。
Forinstance，whatifIshouldrevivetheoldEPICUREANhypothesis？Thisiscommonly，andIbelievejustly，esteemedthemostabsurdsystemthathasyetbeenproposed;yetIknownotwhether，withafewalterations，itmightnotbebroughttobearafaintappearanceofprobability。Insteadofsupposingmatterinfinite，asEPICURUSdid，letussupposeitfinite。Afinitenumberofparticlesisonlysusceptibleoffinitetranspositions：anditmusthappen，inaneternalduration，thateverypossibleorderorpositionmustbetriedaninfinitenumberoftimes。Thisworld，therefore，withallitsevents，eventhemostminute，hasbeforebeenproducedanddestroyed，andwillagainbeproducedanddestroyed，withoutanyboundsandlimitations。Noone，whohasaconceptionofthepowersofinfinite，incomparisonoffinite，willeverscruplethisdetermination。
Butthissupposes，saidDEMEA，thatmattercanacquiremotion，withoutanyvoluntaryagentorfirstmover。
Andwhereisthedifficulty，repliedPHILO，ofthatsupposition？Everyevent，beforeexperience，isequallydifficultandincomprehensible;andeveryevent，afterexperience，isequallyeasyandintelligible。Motion，inmanyinstances，fromgravity，fromelasticity，fromelectricity，beginsinmatter，withoutanyknownvoluntaryagent：andtosupposealways，inthesecases，anunknownvoluntaryagent，ismerehypothesis;andhypothesisattendedwithnoadvantages。Thebeginningofmotioninmatteritselfisasconceivableaprioriasitscommunicationfrommindandintelligence。
Besides，whymaynotmotionhavebeenpropagatedbyimpulsethroughalleternity，andthesamestockofit，ornearlythesame，bestillupheldintheuniverse？Asmuchislostbythecompositionofmotion，asmuchisgainedbyitsresolution。Andwhateverthecausesare，thefactiscertain，thatmatteris，andalwayshasbeen，incontinualagitation，asfarashumanexperienceortraditionreaches。Thereisnotprobably，atpresent，inthewholeuniverse，oneparticleofmatteratabsoluterest。
Andthisveryconsiderationtoo，continuedPHILO，whichwehavestumbledoninthecourseoftheargument，suggestsanewhypothesisofcosmogony，thatisnotabsolutelyabsurdandimprobable。Isthereasystem，anorder，aneconomyofthings，bywhichmattercanpreservethatperpetualagitationwhichseemsessentialtoit，andyetmaintainaconstancyintheformswhichitproduces？Therecertainlyissuchaneconomy;forthisisactuallythecasewiththepresentworld。Thecontinualmotionofmatter，therefore，inlessthaninfinitetranspositions，mustproducethiseconomyororder;andbyitsverynature，thatorder，whenonceestablished，supportsitself，formanyages，ifnottoeternity。Butwherevermatterissopoised，arranged，andadjusted，astocontinueinperpetualmotion，andyetpreserveaconstancyintheforms，itssituationmust，ofnecessity，haveallthesameappearanceofartandcontrivancewhichweobserveatpresent。Allthepartsofeachformmusthavearelationtoeachother，andtothewhole;andthewholeitselfmusthavearelationtotheotherpartsoftheuniverse;totheelementinwhichtheformsubsists;tothematerialswithwhichitrepairsitswasteanddecay;
andtoeveryotherformwhichishostileorfriendly。Adefectinanyoftheseparticularsdestroystheform;andthematterofwhichitiscomposedisagainsetloose，andisthrownintoirregularmotionsandfermentations，tillituniteitselftosomeotherregularform。Ifnosuchformbepreparedtoreceiveit，andiftherebeagreatquantityofthiscorruptedmatterintheuniverse，theuniverseitselfisentirelydisordered;whetheritbethefeebleembryoofaworldinitsfirstbeginningsthatisthusdestroyed，ortherottencarcassofonelanguishinginoldageandinfirmity。