This selection is a relatively self-contained discussion of the distinction between voluntary and involuntary action that appears in Aristotle’s main work on ethics. In the first two paragraphs, he notes the relevance of this discussion to the broader work and also notes two ways in which actions can be involuntary. His discussion of these two ways forms the bulk of the selection, with the discussion of the first beginning already in the second paragraph and the discussion of the second starting with the second paragraph of p. 3. You can regard the final paragraph of the selection as a summing up and reiteration of key points.

Much of Aristotle’s philosophical work combines a formulation of commonly held ideas with an effort to solve puzzles that they raise. The first aspect of this thought is reflected in this selection by his concern with what “is thought” involuntary by people in general, and his discussion of puzzling cases—like that of throwing goods overboard in a storm at sea—is an example of the second aspect. You should, of course, try to formulate for yourself what Aristotle has to say, but it is equally important to think for yourself about the idea of involuntary actions, and about the examples Aristotle mentions, as a way of beginning to formulate what you think should be counted as involuntary. Aristotle’s approach to this distinction is not far from ideas still used in assessing legal responsibility; but, of course, having legal responsibility need not be the same as exercising free will.