CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE WILL 81 



real object of the sexual relation (the production of 

 a child) uppermost in the minds of the parents. 



The human mind is thus shrouded in illusion with 

 respect to the two dominant instincts, for it is in 

 general led by sensual gratification for its own sake. 

 Even when intelligence is so developed as to give 

 the mind insight regarding the real objects of this 

 gratification, the satisfaction of this appetite remains 

 the dominant motive. But if illusion is possible in 

 respect to such vital instincts, why should it not 

 be possible in other directions ? What guarantee is 

 there that a feeling of freedom is what it seems to 

 be? 



That argument for freedom which has its basis 

 in a sense of moral obligation is surely not to be 

 trusted, for this sense unsupported by the prompt- 

 ings of analytical intelligence is itself liable to be in 

 high degree fallacious as a guide to conduct. How 

 can we seriously follow the dictates of a feeling which 

 is itself subject to reversal on the entry of new feel- 

 ings or facts which may abruptly change the point 

 of view ? 



But the assumption that the sense of freedom of 

 will is illusory is not inconsistent with the view that 

 this feeling subserves a useful purpose. Just as the 

 appetite for food makes possible a somewhat orderly 

 progress of nutrition, so does the sense of freedom 

 give courage and confidence to man in the pursuit 

 of his aims. Without the appetite for food, the 

 nutrition of any race would be left hi a precarious 

 o 



