The Interplay of Desire and Will in Choice: A Dance of the Human Mind

Summary: Human choice, far from being a simple act, emerges from a profound and dynamic interplay between our innate desires and the guiding, often regulating, force of our will. This article delves into how philosophers from the Great Books of the Western World have grappled with this fundamental tension, revealing the intricate architecture of the human Mind and the profound implications for Man's freedom and moral agency. We explore how desires provide the impetus, while the will, informed by reason, navigates the path, ultimately shaping our decisions and character.

1. Introduction: The Unseen Choreography of Our Decisions

Every moment of our waking lives, we are making choices. From the mundane — what to eat for breakfast? — to the monumental — what career path to pursue? — our existence is a continuous series of decisions. But what truly drives these choices? Is it a primal urge, a reasoned calculation, or something far more complex? The answer, as explored by centuries of philosophical inquiry, lies in the fascinating and often turbulent relationship between desire and will. This isn't merely an academic exercise; understanding this interplay is crucial to comprehending human behavior, morality, and the very essence of what it means to be a conscious Man. It's a choreography performed within the inner sanctum of the Mind, where impulses meet intentions, and passions contend with principles.

2. Defining the Players: Desire and Will

Before we can fully appreciate their interplay, it's essential to delineate these two powerful forces that shape our inner landscape.

What is Desire?

Desire can be understood as a fundamental orientation towards something perceived as good, pleasurable, or necessary. It is often an immediate, sometimes overwhelming, pull or inclination.

  • Characteristics:
    • Impulsive: Arises spontaneously, often without conscious deliberation.
    • Affective: Strongly linked to emotions and feelings of attraction or aversion.
    • Varied: Ranges from basic biological needs (hunger, thirst) to complex psychological yearnings (love, ambition, curiosity, recognition).
  • Philosophical Lens: For Plato, desires often resided in the "appetitive" part of the soul, seeking gratification. Aristotle's orexis encompassed various forms of striving or inclination.

What is Will?

The will is the faculty of the Mind by which one chooses, decides, and acts upon a course of action. It is often associated with volition, intention, and the capacity for self-determination.

  • Characteristics:
    • Deliberative: Often involves conscious thought, evaluation, and weighing of options.
    • Executive: The power to initiate or inhibit action.
    • Rational: Frequently linked to reason and the pursuit of perceived goods or duties.
  • Philosophical Lens: Augustine saw the will as central to moral responsibility, while Kant later defined the "good will" as the ultimate moral principle.

3. A Historical Perspective from the Great Books: Shaping the Understanding of Man's Inner Life

The Great Books of the Western World offer a rich tapestry of thought on desire and will, illustrating how these concepts have evolved and challenged the finest Minds throughout history.

Plato: The Charioteer and His Steeds

In Phaedrus, Plato famously describes the soul as a charioteer (representing reason or the rational will) guiding two winged horses: one noble (representing spirit or righteous indignation) and one unruly (representing the appetitive desires). For Plato, true virtue and a well-ordered Mind involve reason's mastery over base desires, directing the soul towards the Good. The will here is largely synonymous with the rational part of the soul, striving for control.

Aristotle: Deliberative Desire and Practical Wisdom

Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, presents a more integrated view. He introduces the concept of prohairesis, or "choice," which he defines as "deliberative desire." For Aristotle, choice is not merely an impulse but a desire that has been shaped and guided by practical intellect. The mind identifies a good, and the will (as rational desire) moves towards it. This highlights a harmonious interaction rather than a constant battle, especially in the virtuous Man.

Augustine: The Will Ensnared and Liberated

Saint Augustine's Confessions offers a profound and agonizing account of the will's struggle against disordered desires (concupiscence). He emphasizes the freedom of the will, arguing that it is the ultimate source of moral good and evil. Yet, he also depicts its weakness, often finding itself paralyzed or pulled by powerful desires that contradict its rational intentions. For Augustine, the Mind is a battleground, and true liberation of the will comes through divine grace, aligning it with the highest good.

Thomas Aquinas: Rational Appetite Guided by Intellect

Following Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, posits the will as a "rational appetite." It is a desire that is not blind but is directed by the intellect. The mind apprehends what is good, and the will then moves towards that good. Aquinas distinguishes between the natural appetite (for general good) and the rational appetite (for specific goods presented by the intellect). The will thus has freedom of choice precisely because the intellect can present various goods, none of which compel the will absolutely.

René Descartes: The Infinite Will and Finite Intellect

Descartes, in his Meditations, famously distinguishes between the will and the intellect. He argues that the will is infinite, capable of assenting or denying anything, while the intellect is finite, capable of perceiving only a limited range of ideas. Error, for Descartes, arises when the infinite will assents to ideas that are not clearly and distinctly perceived by the intellect. This places the will in a powerful, almost dangerous, position within the Mind, capable of overstepping the bounds of reason.

Immanuel Kant: Duty, Inclination, and the Good Will

Perhaps no philosopher emphasized the distinction between desire (inclination) and will (duty) more sharply than Immanuel Kant in his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. For Kant, the moral worth of an action derives not from its desired outcome or from inclination, but solely from the will that performs it out of respect for the moral law. A "good will" is one that acts from duty, even in the face of contrary desires. This view elevates the rational, autonomous will as the supreme moral faculty, often in direct opposition to our natural inclinations.

4. The Dynamic Interplay: When Desire Meets Will in the Mind

The history of philosophy reveals that the relationship between desire and will is rarely static. It is a dynamic, ever-shifting interaction within the Mind that shapes every choice Man makes.

Desire as the Catalyst, Will as the Navigator

Often, desires serve as the initial spark or the raw material for choice. They present us with perceived goods or needs. The will, however, acts as the navigator. Informed by the intellect, it evaluates these desires, weighs their consequences, prioritizes them, and ultimately decides which desire to pursue, which to modify, or which to suppress.

Table: Desire vs. Will in Action

Aspect Desire Will
Origin Often unconscious, impulsive, emotional Conscious, deliberate, rational
Function To prompt, attract, motivate To choose, direct, execute, inhibit
Nature Inclination, appetite, longing Volition, intention, self-determination
Focus Immediate gratification, perceived good Long-term goals, moral duty, chosen path
Experience I want..., I feel drawn to... I choose to..., I ought to...

The Battleground of Choice

The most vivid experience of this interplay occurs when desire and will are in conflict. This internal struggle is a hallmark of the human condition. Consider the Man who desires to eat an entire cake but wills himself to stop after a single slice for health reasons. Or the individual who desires revenge but, through an act of will, chooses forgiveness. This tension highlights our capacity for self-control, moral reasoning, and the ability to transcend immediate impulses.

Harmony and Virtue

Yet, the relationship isn't always adversarial. In virtuous individuals, desire and will can achieve a profound harmony. Through habituation and the cultivation of practical wisdom, the Mind can train its desires to align with reason and moral principles. When one desires to do what one wills to be right, choices become effortless and actions truly virtuous. This is the ideal state where Man's inner life is integrated and purposeful.

(Image: A classical painting depicting the allegory of Hercules at the crossroads, where he must choose between the path of virtue (labor and struggle) and the path of vice (pleasure and ease), symbolizing the internal conflict between desire and will. Hercules stands centrally, looking thoughtfully at two personified figures representing the diverging paths, one adorned richly and invitingly, the other dressed plainly and pointing towards a rugged ascent.)

5. Man's Agency and Moral Responsibility

The interplay of desire and will is not just an internal mechanism; it forms the very foundation of Man's agency and moral responsibility. Our capacity for will allows us to be more than mere creatures of instinct or slaves to our passions. It enables us to deliberate, to choose, and to act in accordance with principles we deem good or right, even when those principles conflict with our deepest desires.

This capacity for self-determination, for exercising will over desire, is what makes us accountable for our actions. It is within this intricate dance that our character is forged, our values are expressed, and our freedom is realized. Every choice, big or small, reflects the current state of this internal dynamic within the Mind and contributes to the Man we are becoming.

6. Conclusion: The Enduring Riddle of Human Choice

The philosophical journey through the Great Books of the Western World reveals that the interplay of desire and will is not a simple dichotomy but a sophisticated, multi-layered interaction that defines human freedom and moral life. From Plato's charioteer to Kant's categorical imperative, thinkers have grappled with how these forces shape our choices, our character, and our very essence.

This ongoing dialogue within the Mind — where the raw energy of desire meets the guiding hand of will — is what makes Man a creature of profound complexity and moral depth. It is a riddle that continues to captivate philosophers and, indeed, every individual who pauses to reflect on the nature of their own decisions. Understanding this intricate dance is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a pathway to greater self-awareness and a more intentional, purposeful existence.

YouTube Video Suggestions:

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Plato's Chariot Allegory explained"

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Kantian Ethics duty vs inclination"

Share this post