The Unseen Architect: The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty)

A Summary of Intent

The concept of will stands as a monumental pillar in the architecture of moral philosophy, particularly when we consider its inextricable link to duty. This article will explore the profound role the will plays in shaping our actions, distinguishing between good and evil, and ultimately defining our moral character. Drawing from the deep wellsprings of the Great Books of the Western World, we'll journey through philosophical perspectives that illuminate how the will isn't merely a passive desire but an active, often struggling, faculty that determines our adherence to moral imperatives.

Unpacking the Will: More Than Just Desire

What exactly is this "will" we speak of? Is it a simple desire, a fleeting impulse, or something far more profound? Philosophers across millennia have grappled with its nature, recognizing it as the internal spring of our actions, the very faculty that allows us to choose, to intend, and to act.

From Ancient Insights to Modern Conundrums

From the Socratic emphasis on knowledge as virtue, implying that a knowing will would choose the good, to the intricate analyses of later thinkers, the will has always been central.

  • Plato and Aristotle: While not always using the explicit term "will" as we understand it today, their discussions of voluntary action, choice (prohairesis), and the soul's parts (reason, spirit, appetite) lay foundational groundwork. For Aristotle, a truly virtuous act stems from deliberate choice, indicating a rational and informed will.
  • Augustine of Hippo: A pivotal figure, Augustine deeply explored free will (liberum arbitrium) as God's gift, essential for moral responsibility. For him, evil isn't a substance but a privation, a turning of the will away from the higher good towards lesser goods. The will, therefore, is crucial in the origin of sin and the path to redemption.
  • Thomas Aquinas: Following Aristotle and Augustine, Aquinas saw the will as a "rational appetite" – a desire guided by intellect. The intellect apprehends the good, and the will then moves towards it. The freedom of the will lies in its ability to choose between various perceived goods.

These foundational views establish the will not as a mere automatic response but as an active, deliberative, and often contested power within us.

Duty's Stern Voice: The Will as Moral Compass

While many philosophers acknowledge the will, it is perhaps Immanuel Kant who most rigorously places the will at the absolute centre of moral duty. For Kant, the moral worth of an action is derived not from its consequences, but from the will that performs it.

Kant and the Categorical Imperative

Kant argues that the only thing unqualifiedly good is a good will. A good will is one that acts purely out of respect for the moral law, not out of inclination, self-interest, or potential positive outcomes. This moral law, for Kant, is expressed through the Categorical Imperative, a universal command that dictates how rational beings ought to act.

  • Formulation 1 (Universal Law): Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
  • Formulation 2 (Humanity as End): Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.

These imperatives are not suggestions; they are duties, binding upon all rational wills.

Beyond Inclination: Acting From Duty

This distinction is crucial. Kant differentiates between acting in accordance with duty and acting from duty.

Aspect Acting In Accordance With Duty Acting From Duty
Motivation Inclination (sympathy, self-interest, fear of punishment, habit) Pure respect for the moral law itself
Moral Worth None, or at best, morally neutral Highest moral worth
Role of Will The will is guided by external factors or internal feelings The will autonomously chooses to follow the moral law, irrespective of desires
Example A shopkeeper gives correct change because it's good for business. A shopkeeper gives correct change because it is the right thing to do, universally.

For Kant, the role of the will is paramount: it must autonomously choose to align itself with the moral law, performing actions because they are duties, not because they are personally advantageous or emotionally satisfying. This is where the will truly asserts its moral power, rising above mere impulse to embrace the universal demands of good and evil.

(Image: A stylized depiction of a human figure standing at a crossroads, one path illuminated by a radiant light representing duty and moral law, the other shrouded in tempting shadows representing inclination and self-interest. The figure's hand is outstretched, poised to choose, emphasizing the internal struggle and the active role of the will in moral decision-making.)

The Crucible of Choice: Navigating Good and Evil

The will's role is most acutely felt at the juncture where we confront good and evil. It is the faculty through which we either uphold moral principles or succumb to their transgression.

When the Will Falters: Akrasia and Misdirection

Even with the best intentions, the will can be weak or misguided. Aristotle's concept of akrasia, or "weakness of will," describes situations where an individual knows what is right but fails to act accordingly, often due to overwhelming appetites or emotions. Here, the will is present but is not strong enough to command the entire self towards the known good.

Furthermore, a will can be misdirected. Augustine's idea of evil as a turning away from the higher good illustrates this. It's not necessarily a deliberate embrace of malice but a disordered love, where the will chooses a lesser, temporal good over the eternal, ultimate good. This highlights the will's capacity not just to choose, but to choose poorly, leading to actions that are deemed evil.

The Moral Struggle and the Pursuit of Virtue

The tension between our inclinations and our duties, between what we want to do and what we ought to do, is the eternal moral struggle. It is the will that acts as the arbiter in this internal conflict. A strong, well-formed will, guided by reason and virtue, is crucial for consistently choosing the good. Philosophers throughout the Great Books tradition, from Plato's charioteer allegory (reason guiding the spirited and appetitive parts) to Kant's emphasis on moral autonomy, underscore the importance of cultivating a will capable of self-mastery and adherence to moral principles.

The pursuit of virtue, therefore, is in many ways the training of the will – to consistently choose actions aligned with duty and the good, even when it is difficult, inconvenient, or goes against our immediate desires.

Reflecting on Our Moral Architects

The role of the will in moral action, especially concerning duty, cannot be overstated. From ancient reflections on voluntary choice to Kant's profound assertion of the "good will" as the only unqualified good, the will remains the unseen architect of our moral lives. It is the faculty that empowers us to transcend mere instinct, to deliberate, to choose, and ultimately, to shape our character in the face of good and evil. Understanding its nature and nurturing its strength is not just a philosophical exercise, but a fundamental human endeavour in the pursuit of a morally upright existence.

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