Before something can change or be changed, act or be acted upon, it must exist (i.e., you can point to it). In more mathematical terms, the phenomenon of change is a 'Function of' and subordinate to the phenomenon of Existence'. You don't need expensive telescopes, particle accelerators, a PhD, a college or even a high school education to understand this thesis. It is based on simple logic instead of esoteric hypotheses and it amazes me it is not already common knowledge.There is a difference between things you BELIEVE and things you KNOW. You BELIEVE the sun will rise in the east tomorrow and unless some massive celestial body strikes our planet, there is an excellent chance it will. You BELIEVE your horse will win the race; else you wouldn't bet on it. Beliefs are theories derived from observation. They are subjective, prone to misinterpretation and error.
You KNOW 1=1. Nothing will ever change that. It is a principle. 1+1=2 is a process of incrementation which, in all cases, correlates with the basic principle. You KNOW it, too, is true. You KNOW if something does not exist it has no 'state of being', no condition to be changed. Existence is neither a condition nor a 'state of being', it is the phenomenon of being, itself. Existence is justified by a PRINCIPLE, not a process.