more from René Descartes

Single Idea 2283

[catalogued under 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 1. Nature of Free Will]

Full Idea

The will consists solely in the fact that when something is proposed to us by our intellect either to affirm or deny, we are moved in such a way that we sense we are determined to it by no external force.

Gist of Idea

Our 'will' just consists of the feeling that when we are motivated to do something, there are no external pressures

Source

René Descartes (Meditations [1641], §4.57)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.136