D.I. By cause of itself (sui causa) I understand that
whose essence involves existence; or that, whose nature
cannot be conceived except as existing
essence must be existence
for without it - existence the entity cannot exist -
obviously -
therefore
that which must exist -
cause of itself - is that which exists
what cannot be conceived as not existing?
what must exist -
reality
the basis of everything
substance
the totality
the ground of contingency
how can we know of this?
existence per se
it's a conception
that cannot be conceived without existing?
OK
let's say yes
but
what is it a conception of?
of - necessity?
is it anything other than this
- the idea of necessity
applied to what exists
OK
how to know - if necessity - applies
is applicable
outside of the realm of ideas
to anything?
still - the reality
that time passes through
that space covers
regardless of any existing thing
what to call this?
substance
a spot on description really -
must reality exist
yes
can you conceive otherwise
no
so it seems
still even so -
what can you say of this?
of this necessity
that it must be
and this is to say?
only - that it will not pass
persistence -
this we know as -
certainty
is this so?
a certainty of what?
thought -
knowledge
based on?
thought
pure logic
is?
what must be
is that logic?
necessity?
why must necessity apply
to existence?
logic
to have any sense
is about
what we can think
we can think necessity
but is existence necessary to this
what else could necessity refer to?
and it only has meaning - in relation to existence
without a non-contingent sense of existence -
necessity is meaningless
necessity becomes the description of substance
which must be that substance is
is necessary -
cannot not be -
still it's rather colourless - substance
it must be
what exists exists
what we can know
- only what is -
only what is necessary
very good
