Book 3 / Chapter 1
Paragraph 4 - Compulsory and Voluntary Actions
Explanation - Part By Part
"What sort of acts, then, should be called compulsory? We answer that without qualification actions are so when the cause is in the external circumstances and the agent contributes nothing."
Here, Aristotle is addressing the question of what makes an action truly "compulsory" or forced. His answer is that an action is fully compulsory or involuntary only when the cause comes entirely from external factors and the person doing the action has no role in bringing it about—meaning they contribute absolutely nothing to the decision or act. In simpler terms, if something happens entirely because of outside forces, with no input or intention from you, then it can be called truly compulsory.
"But the things that in themselves are involuntary, but now and in return for these gains are worthy of choice, and whose moving principle is in the agent, are in themselves involuntary, but now and in return for these gains voluntary."
Aristotle is talking about actions that, by their nature, would normally be considered "involuntary" (i.e., things we'd rather not do or would avoid under normal circumstances). However, if there’s some overarching reason or benefit—something judged "worthy of choice"—the person may willingly decide to perform these actions. The key here is that the decision to act comes from the individual themselves ("the moving principle is in the agent"), so in this situation, the act is considered voluntary because the person is choosing it, even if reluctantly or under difficult circumstances.
In simpler terms, something that feels against your will (involuntary) can become a voluntary choice when there's a good enough reason driving you to accept or act on it. For example, sacrificing comfort or enduring pain for a noble purpose (like protecting others) may feel unpleasant, but you consciously choose to do it because you see value or greater meaning in the outcome.
"They are more like voluntary acts; for actions are in the class of particulars, and the particular acts here are voluntary."
Aristotle is delving into the distinction between voluntary and involuntary actions. Here, he argues that while some actions might initially seem involuntary because they are unpleasant or undesirable (in themselves), they can become more like voluntary actions if the person decides to endure them for the sake of a greater benefit or to avoid a worse consequence.
When he says "actions are in the class of particulars," he means actions are specific to individual situations—they occur in unique circumstances where choices must be made based on the details of that particular moment. In those specific scenarios, if the person seems to willingly weigh their options and chooses to act (even under undesirable pressure), the acts take on the character of being voluntary, because there is an element of conscious decision-making on the part of the individual.
So, while external pressures may influence a situation, the personal choice involved in the specific act is what shifts it toward being voluntary.
"What sort of things are to be chosen, and in return for what, it is not easy to state; for there are many differences in the particular cases."
In this part, Aristotle is highlighting the complexity of moral decision-making. He's emphasizing that when it comes to deciding what actions to choose and what sacrifices or consequences to accept in return, there's no straightforward, one-size-fits-all answer. Every situation is unique, with varying circumstances, values, and stakes, making it difficult to create universal rules for such choices. Essentially, the specifics of each case matter deeply, and moral choices are shaped by the particular context in which they arise.