 This commitment to explaining the given by reference to ultimate values has a number of important ramifications for the unfolding of Lotze’s metaphysics. First, as there cannot be a plurality of mutually distinct, independently existing things, we must encourage a monistic conception. Recall the aforementioned issue of how thing a (if such existed) might causally interact with thing b (ditto). James provides the most admirable gloss of Lotze’s manner of reply: