Single Idea 5267

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / c. Reasons as causes]

Full Idea

It is our reasoned acts that are held to be in the fullest sense voluntary and our own doing.

Gist of Idea

Our reasoned acts are held to be voluntary and our own doing

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1169a01)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.302


A Reaction

This seems to me crucial in morality. Morality concerns important decisions made by the core of a person. If we ask how 'core decisions' are known, their hallmark will be reasons, because reasons are the peak of human awareness.