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Single Idea 20192

[from 'Nicomachean Ethics' by Aristotle, in 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 5. Against Free Will ]

Full Idea

Aristotle makes the concept of moral responsibility more fundamental than the concept of the voluntary, the reverse of the typical contemporary approach. Given that we hold persons responsible, such acts must be voluntary.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle assesses whether people are responsible, and if they are it was voluntary

Source

report of Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1110-ish) by Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski - Virtues of the Mind 4.2

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.67


A Reaction

Good for Aristotle. Whether we hold people responsible or not is widely understood, but whether they are 'free' to act is obscure, and may even be incoherent. We should look at praise and blame, and (above all) excuses.