Pag.

XVIII.

SECT.

Remarks and Queries concerning the no-
tion of the abfolute Strength or Force
of Motives that are not conftantly
conjoined with their respective Ac-
tions,

SECT. XIX.

Remarks on the difficulty or impoffibility
of finding a proper teft of the abso-
lute force of Motives that are not con-

ftantly conjoined with their respective

Actions.-The phrase strongest Mo-
tive is fynonymous with the phrase
Motive according to which a per-
fon acts; and is therefore nugatory in
this investigation,

SECT.

360

374

XX.

Suppofition of the abfolute Force of Mo-

tives not conftantly conjoined with

their respective Actions, with the

modification that the ftrongest Motive

alone is conjoined with its proper Ac-

tion,

tion, while the oppofing weaker Mo-
tive is always feparated from its Ac-
tion, and that the prevailing Motive
is always the frongeft, in fo far as it
is intelligible, ftated accurately,-

fidered mathematically.--Neceffary in-

ferences from it, that are abfurd and

impoffible,

SECT.

Pag.

384

XXI.

Reafons for wishing to try experimen-

tally, as a mere matter of fact, the

conclufion demonftrated in the prece-

ding Section.-Important use that may

be made of fuch an experiment.-Dif-

ficulty of finding a proper cafe for the

Jubject of experiment, independent of

all hypothefes, and all appeals to con-

fcioufnefs.-Such a cafe pointed out by

the aid of Mathematical reafoning.—

The refult, according to the doctrine

of Neceffity, however modified, is in-

confiftent with plain matter of fact,

with the common notion of Motive,

and with the belief and expectation

of

of those who affert the doctrine of Ne-
ceffity; yet is poffible in itself, and the
correfponding inference with respect to
phyfical caufes and effects is univerfal-
ly true, and is always expected to
prove fo.-Inference from this,

Pag.

400

conclufion of the argument with re-

Spect to the general nature of the dif-

ference between the relation of Motive

and Action and that of Caufe and Ef-

fect in Phyfics.-Reasons for not at-

tempting in this Effay the investigation

of the particulars relating to the Self-

governing Power in Perfons.-Impof-

fibility of doing it without appealing

to Confciousness and Common Senfe,

458

E S S A Y

SECT. I.

Remarks on the friking fimilarity, and the generally fuppofed difference, between the relation of Motive and that of Phyfical Caufe; -on Mr HUME's doctrine of their perfect Identity; ;-on his juft and important diftinction between Necessary Connection and only Conftant Conjunction;—on his attempt to account for the popular persuasion of the Liberty of human Actions, on his own principles.

A

MONG all the various relations that have engaged the attention either of philofophers or of mankind in general, there is none which has commonly been thought to bear a closer and more striking resemblance and affinity to that of