ht that there must be at least as much reality in the efficient and total cause as in the effect of that cause (p.91)." There are two major points Descartes makes in this statement. Firstly, that something cannot come from nothing, and secondly that what contains more reality (or is more perfect) cannot come from something that contains less reality (or is less perfect). To explain this argument, Descartes uses the example of a stone. He notes that "a stone cannot begin to exist (p.91)" unless it is produced by something which contains every quality which the stone possesses. Basically what Descartes states is that every effect has to have a cause.
             At this point, Descartes is still dealing with the metaphysical. By applying this theory
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