first principle is, therefore, a first among firsts.’ It may be first in the order of knowing, being, or becoming. That is, each of the various orders of knowledge or reality have their points of beginning; these are known as first principles if they have that irreducible premise upon which all else depends in that order. There may be other principles under this first principle, but the first principle is that from which conclusions may be drawn. Of course, a first principle ‘does not signify priority