PROPOSITION IV.
MATTER PER SE.
DEMONSTRATION.
The whole material universe by itself; or per se, is a mere collection of objects without a subject or self. But it was proved in Proposition II. that the only objects which can possibly be known are objects plus a subject or self. Therefore the whole material universe by itself; or per se is of necessity absolutely unknowable.
Again. Object plus a subject is the minimum scibile per se (by Proposition III.) But the whole material universe, per se, being a mere collection of objects without a subject, is less than the minimum scibile per se. Therefore the whole material universe being less than the minimum scibile per se—being less than the least that can be known by itself—is, of necessity, absolutely unknowable.
