(AP:10) Herefrom it follows first, that men think themselves free,
inasmuch as they are conscious of their volitions and desires, and never
even dream, in their ignorance, of the causes which have disposed them to
wish and desire. (11) Secondly, that men do all things for an end,
namely, for that which is useful to them, and which they seek. (12) Thus
it comes to pass that they only look for a knowledge of the final causes
of events, and when these are learned, they are content, as having no cause
for further doubt. (13) If they cannot learn such causes from external
sources, they are compelled to turn to considering themselves, and
reflecting what end would have induced them personally to bring about the
given event, and thus they necessarily judge other natures by their own.
(AP:14) Further, as they find in themselves and outside themselves many
means which assist them not a little in their search for what is useful,
for instance, eyes for seeing, teeth for chewing, herbs and animals for
yielding food, the sun for giving light, the sea for breeding fish, etc.,
they come to look on the whole of nature as a means for obtaining such
conveniences. (15) Now as they are aware, that they found these
conveniences and did not make them they think they have cause for believing,
that some other being has made them for their use. (16) As they look upon
things as means, they cannot believe them to be self-created; but, judging
from the means which they are accustomed to prepare for themselves, they
are bound to believe in some ruler or rulers of the universe endowed with
human freedom, who have arranged and adapted everything for human use.
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