All attempts heretofore made to account for the origin or existence of the Universe involve such contradictions or ambiguities. No rational account can be given of any phenomenon without previously accepting the existence of the physical universe as made known to consciousness through sense and cognition.
A theory based on a mathematical space of four dimensions, partly revived from past centuries, has been recently put forward, according to which there is no space, no time and possibly no energy or matter in existence, the only existence being “relativity.” If we admit the truth of this theory for the present, in order to avoid wasting time in its discussion, we are still confronted with the same problem, the things which most impressively present themselves to consciousness, energy, matter, space and time.
And it is the study of these, whether they exist or not, that is of interest to humanity. A rational explanation of the origin of the Universe being impossible, the mind that contemplates such a task is appalled, and a weak, untrained or insincere mind may be driven into the irrational subterfuge of hiding behind the ambiguity of words, in order to avoid admitting that there is an unknowable.
He who would attain the attainable and know the knowable must first learn that there is also an unknowable, and must understand what distinguishes it from the knowable. The knowable is that which is and this includes the record of that which was. Why it is, WHENCE it is and whither it finally leads are unknowable, because no evidence in reference to these questions can be adduced. The knowable is that, in reference to which evidence is possible.
The unknowable is that, in reference to which evidence is impossible. By evidence we do not mean testimony. The testimony or statements of human beings is legal evidence of a fact, but not scientific evidence. Scientific evidence is merely an assemblage of facts. The testimony or statement of a person, as to the existence of a fact, is sometimes accepted as scientific evidence, but always subject to verification.
To accept a personal statement without question, as scientific evidence, is to be guided by authority or superstition, instead of reason. The existence of the physical elements, energy, matter, space and TIME being granted, a rational account of established facts after thorough investigation is not generally difficult. The proper understanding of these elements and their relations to one another, as a basis for the rational explanation or phenomena, requires that each element shall be defined in terms which admit of no ambiguity.
***Excerpt from Charles John Reed: The Law of Vital Infusion and the Phenomenon of Consciousness