Aristotle and Augustine on Freedom: Two Theories of Freedom, Voluntary Action and Akrasia

by T. Chappell

Overview

Aristotle and Augustine both hold that our beliefs in freedom and voluntary action are interdependent, and that voluntary actions can only be done for the sake of good. Hence Aristotle holds that no-one acts voluntarily in pursuit of evil: such actions would be inexplicable. Augustine, agreeing that such actions are inexplicable, still insists that they occur. This is the true place in Augustine's view of his 'theory of will' - and the real point of contrast between Aristotle and Augustine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333625378
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	03/13/1995
Series:	Two Theories of Freedom, Voluntary Action and Akrasia
Edition description:	1995
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

TIMOTHY CHAPPELL

Table of Contents

Preface - PART 1: ARISTOTLE - The Limits of the Voluntary - Freedom, Ability and Knowledge - Proairesis and Practical Reasoning - The Varieties of Akrasia - PART 2: AUGUSTINE - Voluntariness and Responsibility in Augustine - Voluntas and the Voluntary - The Good Will and the Good Life - Bad Will and the Mystery of Evil - List of Works Cited - Index