Single Idea 22506

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 3. Constraints on the will]

Full Idea

All those things that are in man's power either to do or not to do he himself is the cause of, and all those things that he is the cause of are in his own power.

Gist of Idea

A man is the cause of what is within his power, and what he causes is in his power

Source

Aristotle (Eudemian Ethics [c.333 BCE], 1223a08)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Eudemian Ethics I,II and VIII', ed/tr. Woods,Michael [OUP 1992], p.22


A Reaction

This is the step which allows us to abandon free will, and replace it with the question of whether a person is the 'cause' of an action. Aristotle carefully delineates the criteria for when an action is within a person's power. Includes failures to act?

Related Ideas

Idea 22512 Acts are voluntary if done knowingly, by the agent, and in his power to avoid it [Aristotle]

Idea 22507 An action is voluntary when it is accompanied by thought of some kind [Aristotle]