Aristotle Handout #6: Nicomachean Ethics 3.1–2 — The voluntary and the involuntary Phil 309 – Dr.
Phil 309 – Dr. Tobias Hoffmann
involuntary
under constraint (2)
w/o qualification actions of mixed nature (3)
praiseworthy never excusable
forgivable
Examples and explanations
(1) “[T]he initiative lies with the agent who
knows the particular circumstances in
which the action is performed” (1111a
22–24)
(4) Ignorance of the agent, what he is do-
(2) “An act is done under constraint when
the initiative or source of motion comes
from without. It is the kind of act in
which the agent or the person acted
upon contributes nothing.” (1110a1–2)
(5) To act “in ignorance” is different from
Examples: The wind carries a person away;
someone is taken hostage.
(3) Some fear or benefit is involved. These
actions are not desirable in themselves,
but only in the moment of action, hence
they partake both in voluntary and in-
voluntary actions. Yet they are more vol-
untary than involuntary (1110a11–13).
Actions & passions
voluntary (1)
due to ignorance (4) in ignorance (5) w/o choice (6) w/choice (7)
involuntary (8) non-voluntary (8)
(regret) (no regret)
Examples: fear of having hostages killed same as voluntary actions done without
in case of blackmail; cargo is jettisoned in choice.
a storm.
(4&5) If it is our fault that we are ignorant,
we are responsible for it and for the ac-
ing, what thing or person is affected, the tions we do in ignorance (EN 3.5.1113b
means one is using, the result intended 30–1114a3).
by the action, the manner in which one
(6) Example: emotions and passions. Children
acts (1111a2–6).
and animals are therefore said to act vol-
untarily, but not by choice (1111a34–35;
acting “due to ignorance.” Someone who cf. EN 3.2.1111b8).
is ignorant about particular circumstances
(7) To choose one of two alternative courses
due to anger or alcohol-consumption is
of actions, after deliberation (1111a 34–
acting “in ignorance,” and he is account-
35; cf. EN 3.2–3).
able for his actions. “Ignorance in moral
choice does not make an act involuntary (8) Only when we regret what we do ignor-
– it makes it wicked” (1110b31–32). Ac- ing particular circumstances is our act in-
tions done “in ignorance” seem to be the voluntary; otherwise it is non-voluntary
(1110b18–24).