It gives an account of the meaning of the geometrical entities such as points, straight lines, and volumes, and connects the kindred ideas of extension in time and extension in space.

The theory satisfies the true purpose of an intellectual explanation in the sphere of natural philosophy.

This purpose is to exhibit the interconnexions of nature, and to show that one set of ingredients in nature requires for the exhibition of its character the presence of the other sets of ingredients.
The false idea which we have to get rid of is that of nature as a mere aggregate of independent entities, each capable of isolation.

According to this conception these entities, whose characters are capable of isolated definition, come together and by their accidental relations form the system of nature.

This system is thus thoroughly accidental; and, even if it be subject to a mechanical fate, it is only accidentally so subject.
With this theory space might be without time, and time might be without space.