[One must] distinguish metaphysical facts from man-made facts—i.e., facts
which are inherent in the identities of that which exists, from facts which
depend upon the exercise of human volition. Because man has free will, no human
choice—and no phenomenon which is a product of human choice—is metaphysically
necessary. In regard to any man-made fact, it is valid to claim that man has
chosen thus, but it was not inherent in the nature of existence for him to have
done so; he could have chosen otherwise. For instance, the U.S. did not have
to consist of 50 states; men could have subdivided the larger ones, or
consolidated the smaller ones, etc.
Choice, however, is not chance. Volition is not an exception to the Law of
Causality; it is a type of causation. . . . Further, metaphysical facts are
unalterable by man, and limit the alternatives open to his choice. Man can
rearrange the materials that exist in reality, but he cannot violate their
identity; he cannot escape the laws of nature. “Nature, to be commanded, must
be obeyed.”