VI CONCERNING NECESSARY TRUTHS 151 



itself, whose motion is the immediate object of volition. Can 

 there be a more certain proof that the power by which the whole 

 operation is performed, so far from being directly and fully 

 known by an inward sentiment or consciousness, is to the last 

 degree mysterious and unintelligible ? Here the mind wills a 

 certain event : Immediately another event, unknown to our- 

 selves, and totally different from the one intended, is produced : 

 This event produces another equally unknown : Till at last, 

 through a long succession, the desired event is produced." (IV. 

 p. 78.) 



A still stronger argument against ascribing an 

 objective existence to force or power, on the 

 strength of our supposed direct intuition of power 

 in voluntary acts, may be urged from the un- 

 questionable fact, that we do not know, and 

 cannot know, that volition does cause corporeal 

 motion ; while there is a great deal to be said in 

 favour of the view that it is no cause, but merely 

 a concomitant of that motion. But the nature of 

 volition will be more fitly considered hereafter 



