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Single Idea 24319

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions]

Full Idea

It is the voluntary feelings and actions which are praised and blamed, while the involuntary ones elicit sympathetic consideration and are sometimes even pitied, … so an investigation of virtue must make determinations about the voluntary and involuntary.

Gist of Idea

People's praise and blame depends on what is voluntary, so that must be studied

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1109b30)

A Reaction

The important point here is that Aristotle's study of responsibility begins with what is praised or blamed by the community. Obviously an 'unhealthy' community might praise or blame some strange actions. So community health is part of the necessary study.

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Nicomachean Ethics', ed/tr. Reeve, C.D.C. [Hackett 2024], p.35