Page:The ethics of Aristotle.djvu/301

 character, but when they begin to be acted on they cease to be opinions, and merge in Moral Choice. Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? When it doth prosper, none dare call it Treason.”  . The introduction of the words seems a mere useless repetition, as in the second chapter  added to. These I take for some among the many indications that the treatise is a collection of notes for lectures, and not a finished or systematic one.  . Suppose that three alternatives lay before a man, each of the three is of course an object of Deliberation; when he has made his choice, the alternative chosen does not cease to be in its nature an object of Deliberation, but superadds the character of being chosen and so distinguished. Three men are admitted candidates for an office: the one chosen is the successful candidate; so of the three, the one chosen is the.  . Compare Bishop Butler's “System of Human Nature,” in the Preface to the Sermons.  . These Words,, contain the account of the whole mental machinery of any action. The first step is a Wish, implied in the first here mentioned, viz. Deliberation. for it has been already laid down that Deliberation has for its object—matter means to Ends supposed to be set before the mind: the next step is Deliberation, the next Decision, the last the definite extending of the mental hand towards the object thus selected; the two last constitute in its full meaning. The word means literally “a grasping at or after:” now as this physically may be either vague or definite, so too may the mental act: consequently the term as transferred to the mind has two uses, and denotes either the first wish,, or the last definite movement, Will in its strict and proper sense. These two uses are recognised in the Rhetoric (i. 10), where is divided into  and.

The illustration then afforded by the politics alluded to is this: as the Kings first decided and then announced their decision for acceptance and execution by their subjects, so Reason, having decided on the course to be taken, communicates its decision to the Will, which then proceeds to move. To instance in an action of the mixed kind mentioned in the first chapter: safe arrival at land is naturally desired; two means are suggested, either a certain loss of goods, or trying to save both lives and goods: the question being debated, the former is chosen; this decision is communicated to the Will, which causes the owner's hands to throw overboard his goods: the act is denominated voluntary, because the Will is consenting; but in so denominating it, we leave out of sight how that 