In chapter 1, Aristotle focuses on breaking down the substructures of our involuntary actions, while chapter 5 speaks more on the issue of our voluntary actions. In both chapters, Aristotle makes good use of simple but direct examples to illustrate his point of view. The examples are important in the text as Aristotle is dealing with abstract concepts; tying them into a real-world cont

Aristotle goes on to claim that just as the vices of the soul are voluntary, so are the vices of the body. He exemplifies this claim by pointing out that we don't blame people who were born ugly, just those that are so because of some "want of exercise and care". So, again we see that, for Aristotle, a good indicator of the voluntary and the involuntary is the placing of praise or blame (though I personally take issue with the exercise bit).

In chapter 1, Aristotle focuses primarily on the involuntary actions of man; giving lengthy consideration to the more specific distinctions that arise. "Those things, then, are thought involuntary, which take place under compulsion or owing to ignorance" (Bk.I, ch. 1, 1109b35). This is the first distinction that is made under the heading of "involuntary" actions. If an action is to be considered involuntary, you must either perform the action under compulsion or out of ignorance. Aristotle states that in both cases, the "moving principle" (motivational force) is outside of the agent, with nothing being contributed by the agent, as "if her were to be carried somewhere by a wind, or by men who had him in their power" (Bk. I, ch. 1, 1110a3).

Non-voluntary action is relatively easy to explain since all actions from ignorance are non-voluntary to begin with. The action stays non-voluntary as long as the agent never realizes that he has acted out of ignorance. I am assuming this to be true, as Aristotle never gives a timeframe for the jump from non-voluntary to involuntary.

The state of our character is determined, over time, by our voluntary actions. So, if I am unjust, it is my own fault because I have voluntarily done unjust things and my character has become that of an unjust person. Moreover, Aristotle claims that once I am possessed of an unjust character I cannot remedy it, as it is no longer in my power to do so.

ext of punishment and reward. Also, they provide a leg to stand on when the text becomes too wordy and confusing (not all that rare in Aristotle).

Involuntary actions are actions that were done non-voluntarily and then have the pain and regret of realizing what you have done added to them. For example, when you accidentally disclose a secret the act of speaking is voluntary and the disclosure is non-voluntary, but quickly becomes involuntary as you gauge the other person's reaction and realize what you have done. Also included in the definition of an involuntary action is ignorance on the part of the agent as to what is to his advantage; the aspects of pity and forgiveness depend on this point.

There is a distinction, drawn by Aristotle, between acting out of ignorance and acting in ignorance. The best example that Aristo

Some common words found in the essay are:
Book III, Moreover Aristotle, Ethics Aristotle, involuntary actions, voluntary actions, bk ch, ch 1, chapter 5, bk ch 1, involuntary action, ch 5, voluntary involuntary, acting ignorance, getting drunk, Nicomachean Ethics, , aristotle moving principle, bk ch 5, aristotle acting ignorance, ch 1 1110b17,
Approximate Word count = 1832
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)