462 ON THE ORIGIN OF FORCE. 



the origin of force, we find it connected (possibly by in- 

 termediate links untraceable by our faculties, but yet 

 indisputably connected] with volition, and by inevitable 

 consequence, with motive, with intellect, and with all those 

 attributes of mind in which and not in the possession 

 of arms, legs, brains, and viscera personality consists. 

 In limiting thus the domain of physical theory, we keep 

 on the outside of the apparently interminable discussions 

 and difficulties as to the origin of the will itself, which 

 seem to have culminated in some minds in the denial 

 of volition as a matter of fact, and in the dictum of 

 Judge Carleton,* that what men term the will, is " simply 

 a passive capacity to receive pleasure from whatever 

 affects us agreeably at the time." 



(3.) It may, however, be said, and indeed there are 

 not wanting those who appear very much disposed to 

 say, if not totidem verbis, at least by strong implication, 

 that the conception of Force itself, as part and parcel of 

 the system of the material universe, is superfluous and 

 therefore illogical They argue thus. All we know of 

 material phenomena, it is true, resolves itself into the 

 transference of motion from matter to matter. This, 

 however, may be effected by mere collision. Now, when 

 A strikes B, and motion is thereby communicated from 

 A to B, why not at once admit this as a sequence ? Why 

 interpose an unknown agent, or intermedium, Force, as 

 part of the process 1 ? Having come to regard Heat, 

 Light, Electricity, and the " imponderables " generally, 



* " Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society," ix. p. 

 136 Report of Meeting of January 2, 1863. 



