Directions: In the following question, five statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.

A. The men who in the past have looked for the elements of the existing world have looked also for these first principles.

B. They cut off a piece of it and study the character of that piece, as, for instance, the mathematical sciences do.

C. There is a science that studies being as being and the characteristics of it.

D. But we are after first principles and ultimate causes and obviously there must be something to which they belong by virtue of its own nature.
E. It is not the same as any one of the so-called special sciences, for none of the others deals with being generally as being.