"Man is free to determine his own action": This
part suggests the idea of human free will, the capacity of individuals to make
choices and decisions independent of external constraints. It implies that
humans have the ability to choose their actions based on their own thoughts,
desires, and values.
"But he is powerless to control the reaction resulting
from it": This part introduces the concept of determinism, the idea that
events, including human actions and their consequences, are determined by
preceding causes and conditions. It suggests that while individuals have agency
in choosing their actions, they do not have control over the outcomes or
reactions that arise from those actions.
"Because that is governed not by the individual, but by
the cosmic will": Here, the phrase "cosmic will" implies a force
or power beyond individual human control that governs the outcomes or reactions
to human actions. This idea suggests a larger, universal order or set of laws
that dictate the consequences of human actions, regardless of individual
intentions or desires.
Overall, this statement reflects a complex interplay between
human agency, determinism, and the broader forces or laws that shape the
outcomes of human actions. It raises questions about the extent of human
freedom, the nature of causality, and the relationship between individuals and
the larger universe.