Claim. The fundamental material element of the Original Hyungsang is the ultimate cause of physical matter and is therefore one stage prior to the energy described by science, which UT calls ‘prior-stage energy’ or ‘pre-energy.’
Elaboration. Modern science traces matter to energy that gives rise to elementary particles, with energy having both particle and wave character. But Lee argues science only works within ‘the phenomenal, resultant world’ — it cannot reach the fundamental cause. UT holds the ultimate cause of matter lies in the Original Hyungsang, which is therefore the stage just prior to scientific energy (Original Hyungsang and Science).
The Original Hyungsang has two characteristics: (1) the fundamental material element, and (2) the potential for a limitless number of forms. Lee illustrates with water: water has no shape of its own but accommodates to any container — circular, rectangular, columnar. Similarly Original Hyungsang has no specific form but adapts to any image. God creates by pouring this formless material element ‘into the mold of the Inner Hyungsang in making all things with definite concrete forms.’ This is the explicit metaphor for the relation between Logos (form-mold) and matter at creation.
The doctrine has two strategic uses. First, it lets UT explicitly reject creatio ex nihilo as Aquinas formulated it — Lee says later in this chapter the Thomistic doctrine ‘that matter (energy) comes from nothing is unacceptable to modern science, which holds that the universe is made of energy.’ Pre-energy in God provides a metaphysical reservoir from which physical energy is generated. Second, it positions UT as compatible with (but deeper than) modern physics: science describes the second stage, UT the first.
Critics from classical theism engage on whether pre-energy is a creature or a divine attribute — if the latter, God has a material aspect, threatening simplicity; if the former, the regress only relocates the creatio ex nihilo problem. Lee’s answer is the homogeneity thesis: pre-energy is a form of expression of God’s one underlying attribute, not an independent substance.
See also. sungsang-and-hyungsang-as-dual-characteristics-of-god, prime-force-and-universal-prime-force-include-love, sungsang-hyungsang-are-homogeneous-not-heterogeneous