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even after we have attained to the highest summit of knowledge which
our weak minds can reach； we find that language in the presence of
wonders so inconceivable has lost its force； and number its power to
reckon； nay； even thought fails to conceive adequately； and our
conception of the whole dissolves into an astonishment without power
of expression… all the more eloquent that it is dumb。 Everywhere
around us we observe a chain of causes and effects； of means and ends；
of death and birth； and； as nothing has entered of itself into the
condition in which we find it； we are constantly referred to some
other thing； which itself suggests the same inquiry regarding its
cause； and thus the universe must sink into the abyss of
nothingness； unless we admit that； besides this infinite chain of
contingencies； there exists something that is primal and
self…subsistent… something which； as the cause of this phenomenal
world； secures its continuance and preservation。
This highest cause… what magnitude shall we attribute to it？ Of
the content of the world we are ignorant； still less can we estimate
its magnitude by comparison with the sphere of the possible。 But
this supreme cause being a necessity of the human mind； what is
there to prevent us from attributing to it such a degree of perfection
as to place it above the sphere of all that is possible？ This we can
easily do； although only by the aid of the faint outline of an
abstract conception； by representing this being to ourselves as
containing in itself； as an individual substance； all possible
perfection… a conception which satisfies that requirement of reason
which demands parsimony in principles； which is free from
self…contradiction； which even contributes to the extension of the
employment of reason in experience； by means of the guidance
afforded by this idea to order and system； and which in no respect
conflicts with any law of experience。
This argument always deserves to be mentioned with respect。 It is
the oldest； the clearest； and that most in conformity with the
common reason of humanity。 It animates the study of nature； as it
itself derives its existence and draws ever new strength from that
source。 It introduces aims and ends into a sphere in which our
observation could not of itself have discovered them； and extends
our knowledge of nature； by directing our attention to a unity； the
principle of which lies beyond nature。 This knowledge of nature
again reacts upon this idea… its cause； and thus our belief in a
divine author of the universe rises to the power of an irresistible
conviction。
For these reasons it would be utterly hopeless to attempt to rob
this argument of the authority it has always enjoyed。 The mind；
unceasingly elevated by these considerations； which； although
empirical； are so remarkably powerful； and continually adding to their
force； will not suffer itself to be depressed by the doubts
suggested by subtle speculation； it tears itself out of this state
of uncertainty； the moment it casts a look upon the wondrous forms
of nature and the majesty of the universe； and rises from height to
height； from condition to condition； till it has elevated itself to
the supreme and unconditioned author of all。
But although we have nothing to object to the reasonableness and
utility of this procedure； but have rather to commend and encourage
it； we cannot approve of the claims which this argument advances to
demonstrative certainty and to a reception upon its own merits；
apart from favour or support by other arguments。 Nor can it injure the
cause of morality to endeavour to lower the tone of the arrogant
sophist； and to teach him that modesty and moderation which are the
properties of a belief that brings calm and content into the mind；
without prescribing to it an unworthy subjection。 I maintain； then；
that the physico…theological argument is insufficient of itself to
prove the existence of a Supreme Being； that it must entrust this to
the ontological argument… to which it serves merely as an
introduction； and that； consequently； this argument contains the
only possible ground of proof （possessed by speculative reason） for
the existence of this being。
The chief momenta in the physico…theological argument are as follow：
1。 We observe in the world manifest signs of an arrangement full of
purpose； executed with great wisdom； and argument in whole of a
content indescribably various； and of an extent without limits。 2。
This arrangement of means and ends is entirely foreign to the things
existing in the world… it belongs to them merely as a contingent
attribute； in other words； the nature of different things could not of
itself； whatever means were employed； harmoniously tend towards
certain purposes； were they not chosen and directed for these purposes
by a rational and disposing principle； in accordance with certain
fundamental ideas。 3。 There exists； therefore； a sublime and wise
cause （or several）； which is not merely a blind； all…powerful
nature； producing the beings and events which fill the world in
unconscious fecundity； but a free and intelligent cause of the
world。 4。 The unity of this cause may be inferred from the unity of
the reciprocal relation existing between the parts of the world； as
portions of an artistic edifice… an inference which all our
observation favours； and all principles of analogy support。
In the above argument； it is inferred from the analogy of certain
products of nature with those of human art； when it compels Nature
to bend herself to its purposes； as in the case of a house； a ship； or
a watch； that the same kind of causality… namely； understanding and
will… resides in nature。 It is also declared that the internal
possibility of this freely…acting nature （which is the source of all
art； and perhaps also of human reason） is derivable from another and
superhuman art… a conclusion which would perhaps be found incapable of
standing the test of subtle transcendental criticism。 But to neither
of these opinions shall we at present object。 We shall only remark
that it must be confessed that； if we are to discuss the subject of
cause at all； we cannot proceed more securely than with the guidance
of the analogy subsisting between nature and such products of
design… these being the only products whose causes and modes of
organization are completely known to us。 Reason would be unable to
satisfy her own requirements； if she passed from a causality which she
does know； to obscure and indemonstrable principles of explanation
which she does not know。
According to the physico…theological argument； the connection and
harmony existing in the world evidence the contingency of the form
merely； but not of the matter； that is； of the substance of the world。
To establish the truth of the latter opinion； it would be necessary to
prove that all things would be in themselves incapable of this harmony
and order； unless they were； even as regard