Abstract

Let us start with a short description of the phenomenon of will, and in this we shall naturally take advantage of Aristotle’s analysis. Let us say in the first place that will has two basic features. It is a factor or an actor bringing about effects. As such, it is a factor inside the agent, moving the agent, giving momentum to his attitudes or approaches, as well as giving direction to his attitudes and their manifestation in action. Will also connotes a choice and, thus, is close to a decision focusing on a certain course or objective. The actions or the deeds are in this sense a manifestation of will as both a driving force and a choice or decision. From the point of view of the manifest action, will is closer to being a disposition, not in the passive sense, but one which is an active attitude. In so far as objectives of action or will are concerned, the question arises—and as we shall see, this is the crux of the controversy—whether objectives are only pursued or whether they are also set and posited. There is the additional question whether will is spontaneous, that is to say, is its own source; or whether, as an activity directed towards an objective, it in turn is motivated, bewaring from the pitfall of an infinite regression.