Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Books Ii--iv: Tr... May 2026

: Acts done under compulsion or through ignorance (specifically of particular facts).

: To be truly virtuous, an agent must: Act with knowledge . Choose the act for its own sake. Act from a stable character disposition. ⚖️ Book III: Moral Responsibility & Primary Virtues Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Books II--IV: Tr...

: Acts originating in the agent with knowledge of the circumstances. : Acts done under compulsion or through ignorance

: We deliberate about means , not ends . Choice is "deliberate desire" for things in our power. The First Specific Virtues Act from a stable character disposition

Aristotle investigates the conditions under which we are responsible for our actions and details the first two specific virtues. Voluntary vs. Involuntary Action

: Virtue is a "mean" state between two vicious extremes: Excess : Having too much of a trait (e.g., Rashness). Deficiency : Having too little of a trait (e.g., Cowardice).