Aristotle Voluntary Vs Involuntary Essay Research Paper — страница 2

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the example of a man asked to commit a heinous crime and so saves his family from death. This is not involuntary as the man has a choice on whether to commit the crime or not but he makes his decision under distress and most likely will not regret his decision, thus making it a non-voluntary action. At this point one begins to relate to Aristotle s statements on the concepts of voluntary, involuntary and non-voluntary actions. In fact one recent political issue begins to surface. The sex scandal involving President Clinton and his intern Monica Lewinsky. When looked at from the standpoint of a voluntary action it seems obvious that the sexual relations between Clinton and Lewinsky were voluntary. As Aristotle defines voluntary or involuntary actions as occurring at the moment of

action, both parties were making the relations happen, in fact both probably made a choice to continue. So, at this point in the relationship the actions were voluntary. Here, I would like to digress and discuss my views on voluntary action. For me I would identify voluntary action more closely with what Aristotle identifies as choice. As I think of voluntary action I think of a moral choice, while I understand that spontaneous action and routine action is voluntary I would argue that even the simplest action requires an amount of choice. I would say voluntary action is that action which we choose to do, it is the action we are aware of and make the decision to continue with. So, especially, by my personal definition Clinton and Lewinsky were at a voluntary action stage. As for

involuntary action, using Clinton as an example I would say his confession to the American public was involuntary or at least non-voluntary. However, much closer to involuntary as the circumstances that caused him to confess, Kenneth Star s investigation and Lewinsky s testimony, were completely out of his control, but he still had an option making it non-voluntary. I would say that a non-voluntary action is when a person has no plausible option due to circumstances, such as a kill or be killed situation. Whereas a involuntary action is completely out of one s personal range of power. So, it seems I see involuntary and non-voluntary actions in the same light as Aristotle. I would, however, like to add one distinction in the case of involuntary actions. To me an involuntary action

implies the primitive in a person, bodily functions and perhaps appetites and passions for none of these can really be controlled, although the case of appetites and passions begin to get vague because we as logical creatures can choose how to respond. Involuntary seems to refer to animals and children, both are rules completely by their passions, while they can choose what to respond to it is extremely limited. Limited to such a sense that referring to a chosen action, as chosen seems untrue. Perhaps here is where the dilemma lies, which action is voluntary and which is involuntary. Where is the distinction and how does one recognize it. If Clinton and Lewinsky s relations were voluntary and his confession involuntary, what about his first denial of relations, was that

voluntary, or was he in such fear of the consequences that it became a non-voluntary action? The truth could be one or the other or in fact all of the above. Distinction becomes even more difficult when defining involuntary and voluntary, when is the line drawn in the case of passion and irrationality. This could be what Aristotle was deliberating when he wrote, but the irrational emotions are considered no less a part of human beings than reasoning is, and hence, the actions of a man which spring from passion and appetite are equally a part of him. It would be absurd, then, to count them as involuntary (p.57). Irrationality as a part of the logical and decision making process, how is this possible and how does one define it. The key maybe just that impossibility, that each

action and thought process are irrevocably tied together. Though each is separate and distinct, easily defined at first glance, a deeper evaluation cause a realization of the interwoven nature of each thing. The only answer that seems to give a glimpse of definition or clarification to the whole matter is said by Aristotle, and where the source of motion is within oneself, it is in one s power to act or not to act. (p.53). Our source in within ourselves, inside is where we respond to our emotions, passions and logic, through this comes our power and with this power we can move forward as creatures or respond only to the most elemental part of our being. There is always a choice, not often does the wind come to sweep a person away and if it does they can grab on to a tree. And so