Aristotle, "On Practical Reason"

These flashcards cover key concepts from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, focusing on virtue, voluntary and involuntary actions, choice, deliberation, ignorance, practical wisdom, desire, and external circumstances.

Virtue

A state of character concerned with choice, involving passions and actions.

Voluntary Actions

Actions that stem from a principle within the person acting, thus they are in the agent's power.

Involuntary Actions

Actions that occur under compulsion or due to ignorance; not praised, but may be pardoned.

Mixed Actions

Actions that are mostly voluntary but may involve elements of compulsion or fear.

Choice

The act of selecting an option based on deliberation, specifically relating to means rather than ends.

Deliberation

The process of reasoning about what can be done, particularly in regard to means to achieve ends.

Ignorance

Lack of knowledge concerning the actions, their consequences, or the circumstances surrounding them.

Practical Wisdom

The ability to deliberate well about what is good and expedient for a good life; a form of reasoned and true state of capacity regarding human goods.

Desire

A driving force behind choices, which must align with moral virtue for the choices to be considered good.

External Circumstances

Factors outside the individual that may compel a person to act in certain ways, often seen as outside their control.