Incontinence Argument

Words: 2053
Pages: 9
Open Document
Zixiong Liu
December 12, 2014

Final Paper
On incontinence

At midnight, sitting in front of my desk, I can’t help but hate myself for not being able to resist the desire to check Facebook, or chatting with friends or whatever unrelated to studying. I have a paper to finish, yet I seem to be dragged around while having knowledge that I have to finish this task. Incontinence appears to be paradoxical, since it seems that in incontinence, what we know and what we believe have stopped guiding our actions. To resolve this paradox, Socrates even went as far as to deny that there is such a thing as incontinence (P120-1145b). On the other hand, Aristotle argues that incontinence does exist and is brought about by a deficient state of knowing and …show more content…
Aristotle constructed his argument based on two premises: first, what is not voluntary is done by force or through ignorance (P37-1110a); second, what is involuntary causes pain and regret (P39-1110b). From these two premises, Aristotle established a trichotomy of actions with respect to its voluntariness. First, voluntary actions are whatever is not done by force or through ignorance, i.e., has an internal first principle; second, involuntary actions are those done by force or through ignorance that cause pain or regret; third, non-voluntary actions are those done by force or through ignorance and do not cause pain or regret. Therefore, in order to classify incontinent actions, it is imperative to consider whether or not they are forced or done through …show more content…
Given this premise, now assume the state of being able to recall but unable to use knowledge implies that the action done in such a condition is involuntary, then the only kind of action that remains a candidate for voluntary actions are those done with full knowledge, i.e., the actuality of knowledge. Then it follows that any voluntary action must be done through rational choice. This is absurd since “children and other animals” (P41-111b) would then also share in rational choice. Now it is safe to conclude that at least some actions done in the state of recalling but not knowing are voluntary
Show More

Related Documents: Incontinence Argument

Analyzing Plato's Apology

In Book VII of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle critiques Socrates’ argument against incontinence by contrasting the former philosopher’s thoughts with “things that appear…

Words 221 - Pages 1

Essay about Harvey Milk

a piece. 2) Socrates’ Ethical Intellectualism A. Describe Socratic intellectualism generally as well as in relation to his claim that virtue is knowledge and his use of the elenchus: • Elenchus: A logical refutation, an argument that refutes another argument by proving the contrary of the conclusion. • If I know something, then I do not need to inquire into it (do not need to be taught); and if I do not know something then I cannot inquire into it (cannot be taught). • Either I know…

Words 3767 - Pages 16

Abortion Notes essay

Abortion & Euthanasia * Abortion: Any situation in which a woman’s pregnancy ends in the death and removal of the foetus * Miscarriage: Spontaneous * Abortion: Intentionally induced * Stages of pregnancy: * Fertilization * Zygote (A collection of cells) * Day 5 it becomes a blastocyst * Day 7 to 14 – implantation * After this, it is knows as an embryo * Week 8 – fetus (a pre-baby) * Possible legality for abortions: * Illegal…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

Mercy Killing Research Paper

Some people believe that mercy killing is not justifiable, while others argue against this……. * In earth every human being has the inherent right to live. The right to live is the most significant and basic need of all human.”.The word euthanasia (mercy killing) means "good death." it originate from greek words "eu" and "thanatos . . We fight the forces of nature to stay youthful, healthy, and, to the greatest degree possible, immortal. Our crusaders, the physicians, arm themselves with…

Words 1253 - Pages 6

The Pros And Cons Of Decriminalizing Marijuana

The first recorded use of Marijuana was in 2737 B.C. By the eighteenth-century medical marijuana had reached America. At this time, it was prescribed for inflamed skin, incontinence, venereal disease, eased the pain of rheumatism, and was helpful against discomfort and nausea in cases of rabies, cholera and tetanus. It wasn’t until the 1914, that it was considered illegal, but even then it was still used for medical purposes…

Words 1790 - Pages 8

Essay on Revenge Tastes so Sweet

Leslie Palencia Dr. Lewis English 302 5 March 2013 Revenge Tastes so Sweet A loud siren call echoes through the streets of a dark deserted alley way of a sleeping urban town. Someone call the police! A cry for help. A person has just been killed and they were pronounced dead early morning. Silence fills the funeral room as the weeping family demands the person who committed this act of murder. One soul stands beside his family will sadness and rage filling his heart, the person who has done…

Words 2002 - Pages 9

Essay Gerontology and Time

versus those who do not. ♥ As you age, it takes longer for your kidneys to get rid of waste products. These substances tend to remain in the body for a longer period of time. This is particularly the case with medications. ♥ -3- ♥ Urinary incontinence is not a normal change with aging. Not being able to “hold your water” is due to many other problems, such as enlarged prostate, weak muscles, limited fluid intake, or constipation. Your…

Words 4514 - Pages 19

Muslim Attitudes to Crusaders Essay

Medieval Academy of America The Western Attitude toward Islam during the Period of the Crusades Author(s): Dana Carleton Munro Source: Speculum, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Jul., 1931), pp. 329-343 Published by: Medieval Academy of America Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2848507 . Accessed: 28/03/2013 11:20 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit…

Words 5217 - Pages 21

Essay on i dont know

Editorial Last week’s UK newspapers saw further evidence of lobbying by industry against a ban on smoking in public places. Gareth Davis, chief executive of Imperial Tobacco, said that a ban would not harm tobacco sales in the long term, but would harm the hospitality industry. But evidence from Ireland, which introduced a ban on smoking in public places earlier this year, shows that cigarette sales are down. Meanwhile, a systematic review of research on the impact of bans on bar and…

Words 9348 - Pages 38

who pays the bill Essay

Who pays the bill? Pensioners are pushing many cities and states towards financial crisis Jul 27th 2013 | CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES | From the print edition DETROIT may be an extreme case of fiscal incontinence. But its bankruptcy highlights a long-term problem faced by many American cities and states; how to fund generous pension and health-care promises that are no longer affordable. The problem has been decades in the making. It has always been easier for politicians to promise generous retirement…

Words 9829 - Pages 40