Before beginning to understand how Aristotle is applicable, his viewpoint must be examined, such as his version of voluntary action. As he says in Book III of Nichomachean Ethics "...the terms 'voluntary' and 'involuntary' are used with reference to the moment of action...because the initiative in moving the parts of the body which act as instruments rests with the agent himself" (p.53). So, a voluntary action is one about which we have power. Such as, what to eat in the morning, brushing teeth or even life altering decisions about jobs and marriage. Most of our everyday actions are voluntary, since we do not often act outside our realm of p

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.

Here Aristotle makes a distinction, a voluntary action is not necessarily a choice. A choice is a thoughtful decision, as he points out "For choice is not shared by irrational creatures..." (p.58). Children and animals are capable of voluntary action, such as eating, running, communicating, but they are not capable of choice, for choice begins to enter into the moral realm. Choice is an action of a creature that can reason because logic is a necessary ingredient for choice.

Only when logical creatures lack knowledge or are under duress do they move away from choice and voluntary action to involuntary action. Aristotle states his point quite clearly when he says, "...actions done under constraint or due to ignorance are involuntary" (p.52). An action is involuntary when the source of initiative comes from outside, Aristotle use the example of a person carried away by the wind, he is obviously not responsible for his action of moving, this would be an example of involuntary action due to constraint.

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Approximate Word count = 1546
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)