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Full Idea
There can be no will without such a degree of understanding, at least, as gives the conception of that which we will.
Gist of Idea
A willed action needs reasonable understanding of what is to be done
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 4: Liberty of Agents [1788], 1)
Book Ref
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.324
A Reaction
Presumably this 'conception' includes an understanding of the probable consequences, but they are of infinite complexity. I see this as an objection to 'ultimate' free will and responsibility, because there are only ever degrees of understanding.
| 22506 | A man is the cause of what is within his power, and what he causes is in his power [Aristotle] |
| 23327 | Stoics expanded the idea of compulsion, and contracted what counts as one's own actions [Stoic school, by Frede,M] |
| 23331 | Not even Zeus can control what I choose [Epictetus] |
| 1855 | If we saw something as totally and utterly good, we would be compelled to will it [Aquinas] |
| 3789 | The more reasons that compel me, the freer I am [Descartes] |
| 23676 | A willed action needs reasonable understanding of what is to be done [Reid] |
| 8353 | Freedom involves acting according to an idea [Anscombe] |