Full Idea
Motion in many instances begins in matter, without any known voluntary agent; to suppose always, in these cases, an unknown voluntary agent is mere hypothesis, attended with no advantages.
Gist of Idea
Motion often begins in matter, with no sign of a controlling agent
Source
David Hume (Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion [1751], Part 8)
Book Reference
'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.109
A Reaction
This is the modern 'powers' view of science, and a direct contradiction of Plato's claims in The Laws. It seems a bit primitive to assume that magnetism must be the work of some god.
Related Idea
Idea 21265 The heavens must be full of gods, controlling nature either externally or from within [Plato]