COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



as an event invariably consequent upon the blow- 

 ing of the wind with a given momentum. Here, 

 perhaps, it may seem that we quite get rid of 

 every subjective or anthropomorphic element. 

 But this is a mistake. The use of the word " mo- 

 mentum '* shows how we are compelled to con- 

 ceive the event as a manifestation of force. We 

 may abolish the figment of a specific occulta vis ; 

 but strive as we will, we cannot mentally repre- 

 sent the event otherwise than as a differential 

 result of the excess of one quantum of force over 

 another quantum of force. And what do we 

 mean by force ? Our conception of force is no- 

 thing but a generalized abstraction from our sen- 

 sations of muscular resistance. That such a con- 

 ception is merely symbolic, that it does not truly 

 represent the real force objectively existing, I 

 have already shown. Nevertheless from the re- 

 lativity of our thought, such is the only concep- 

 tion which we can frame. Therefore, I repeat, 

 from first to last, whether we give a theological, 

 a metaphysical, or a scientific explanation of any 

 phenomenon, we alike interpret it in terms of 

 consciousness. Whether we frame the crude 

 conception of an arbitrary volition, or the re- 

 fined conception of a uniformly conditioned 

 force, we must equally admit that our subjective 

 feelings are the only materials with which the 

 conception can be framed. The consciousness 

 of force remains dominant from first to last, and 

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