at present know, the will may very well be free in the sense required,
even though all its acts are due to _x_.

8. In particular, for aught we know to the contrary, all may be due to
_x'_, i.e. all causation may be of the nature of will (as, indeed, many
systems of philosophy maintain), with the result that every human will
is of the nature of a First Cause. In support of which possibility it
may be remarked that most philosophies are led to the theory of a _causa
causarum_ as regards _x_.

9. To the obvious objection that with a plurality of first causes--each
the _fons et origo_ of a new and never-ending stream of causality--the
cosmos must sooner or later become a chaos by cumulative intersection of
the streams, the answer is to be found in the theory of monism[53].

10. Nevertheless, the ultimate difficulty remains which is depicted in
my essay on the 'World as an Eject[54].' But this, again, is merged in
the mystery of Personality, which is only known as an inexplicable, and
seemingly ultimate, fact.

11. So that the general conclusion of the whole matter must be--pure
agnosticism.

FOOTNOTES:

[47] [Here it was intended to insert further explanation 'showing that
mere observation of causality in external nature would not have yielded
idea of anything further than time and space relations.'--ED.]

[48] [This theory was suggested in the Burney Essay, p. 136, and