Exertion

There are occasions on which when, in the middle of some activity, we realize that we are merely 'going through the motions'. At that point, one might resolve to exert oneself. For example, one might be casually ambling along, anddecide to 'pick up the pace', following which there is an acceleration of the walking. More precisely, first, there is the awareness of what one has been doing. Second, there is a decision to exert oneself. Third, there is the feeling of the beginning of an impulse. Finally, we find ourselves walking faster. This is a common example of Variation for Variation's sake. Furthermore, it demonstrates Motility originating as an internal impulse, and eventually externalizing itself. More precisely, one's awareness is of the impulse quickly radiating from a point to the extremities, and then generating more motion in them. As, 'Epiphenomenalists' maintain, it is not the awareness that generates the motion. On the other hand, contrary to what some of them seem to further insist, it does not follow that self-motivation is indemonstrable.