"Will is nothing more than a particular case of the general doctrine of association of ideas, and therefore a perfectly mechanical thing"

Joseph Priestley's quote, "Will is absolutely nothing more than a particular case of the general teaching of association of ideas, and for that reason a completely mechanical thing", encapsulates a mechanistic view of human cognition and behavior. Priestley, a theologian, chemist, and theorist, suggests that human will is not a mysterious or autonomous force but rather can be understood as a natural phenomenon, governed by the very same concepts that guide idea and memory.

The "teaching of association of concepts" refers to the philosophical theory that mental processes run by linking ideas together. Originating with theorists like John Locke and David Hume, this doctrine presumes that complex psychological constructs are the product of simpler concepts associating through experience. According to this view, simply as memories and thoughts develop through connections formed between ideas, so too does the will emerge from these associations.

When Priestley describes the will as a "completely mechanical thing", he is emphasizing its predictability and governability. This indicates that, with enough knowledge of an individual's experiences and the associations they form, one could potentially forecast their choices and actions. It shows an Enlightenment-era confidence in the capacity of factor and science to reveal the laws governing human nature, similar to those for the physical world.

Such a mechanistic interpretation challenges the concept of free choice and individual firm. It recommends that our sense of choosing is contingent upon the interconnected web of experiences and ideas we have. This point of view lines up with deterministic philosophies, proposing that behavior is formed by previous occasions instead of spontaneous decision-making.

Priestley's view has implications for understanding human morality, responsibility, and autonomy. If will is merely an outcome of mental associations, then concepts such as ethical accountability might require reevaluation. In this context, education and environment play an essential role, shaping the associations that ultimately govern our will and actions. Thus, Priestley's quote invites more exploration of how deterministic or mechanical procedures influence our understanding of human habits.