What Caused the First Cause?

Abstract

As 17^th philosopher Baruch Spinoza has reasoned, the first cause must have caused itself.  How is that possible?  It could happen through an act of self-awareness - through the concept "I AM."  Reaching that conclusion involves several premises.  These include:  the validity of the Big Bang; the absence of time and space before the Big Bang; the certainty of the future; and the claim the Universe is God - that latter claim being the most doubtful.  All these claims, however, are backed by logic and/or solid scientific proof.