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Logic II 24

merely that form of final cause which is most familiar
to our experience. The signification of the phrase "final
cause" must be determined by the its use in the statement
of Aristotle that all causation divides into two grand branches,
the efficient, or forceful; and the ideal, or final. If we are to
conserve the truth of that statement, one must understand by
final causation that mode of bringing facts about
according to which a general description of any compulsion
for it to appear come about in this or that particular way; although the
means may be adapted to the end. The general result may be
brought about at one time in one way, and at another
time in another way. Final causation does not determine
in what particular way it is to be brought about, but
only that the general result shall have a certain
general character. Efficient causation, on the other
hand, is a compulsion determined by the particular