Page:Medical Inquiries and Observations Upon the Diseases of the Mind - Benjamin Rush.djvu/268



Two opimons have divided philosophers and divines upon the subject of the operations of the will. It has been supposed by one sect of each of diem to act freely; and by the others to act from necessity, and only in consequence of the stimulus of motives upon it Both these opinions are supported by an equal weight of arguments; and however incomprehensible the union of two such opposite qualities may appear in the same function, both opinions appear to be alike true. The will is affected by disease in two ways. L When it acts without a motive, by a kind of involuntary power. Exactly the same thing takes place in this disease of the will, that occurs when the arm or foot is moved convulsively without