Single Idea 1857

[catalogued under 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / a. Will to Act]

Full Idea

The will can avoid actually willing something by avoiding thinking of it, since mental activity is subject to will. In this respect we aren't compelled to will even total happiness, which is the only perfect good.

Gist of Idea

We don't have to will even perfect good, because we can choose not to think of it

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Quaestiones Disputatae de Malo [1271], Q6.h to 07)

Book Reference

Aquinas,Thomas: 'Selected Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. McDermott,Timothy [OUP 1993], p.181