The activity
is, for example, attributed either to a
physical or to a mental agent, and is either
aimless or directed. If directed it shows tendency.
The tendency may or may not be resisted.
If not, we call the activity immanent, as
when a body moves in empty space by its momentum,
or our thoughts wander at their own
sweet will. If resistance is met, _its_ agent complicates
the situation. If now, in spite of resistance,
the original tendency continues, effort
makes its appearance, and along with effort,
strain or squeeze. Will, in the narrower sense
of the word, then comes upon the scene, whenever,
---
1 [Cf. F.H. Bradley, _Appearance_and_Reality_, second edition, pp.
96-97.]
166
along with the tendency, the strain and
squeeze are sustained. But the resistance may
be great enough to check the tendency, or even
to reverse its path. In that case, we (if 'we' were
the original agents or subjects of the tendency)
are overpowered. The phenomenon turns into
one of tension simply, or of necessity succumbed-
to, according as the opposing power is
only equal, or is superior to ourselves.
Whosoever describes an experience in such
terms as these describes an experience _of_ activity.
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