ABSTRACT
Volition is accepted today in psychological circles to be the function by which a person consciously chooses the planning and performing of a certain action. Aristotle goes on to examine the origin of the volitional processes. He comes to the conclusion that there must exist an object of appetite (orecton), that is, a desirable target, in order for any such process to get started. However, the Stagirite gives us two pieces of advice psychologically useful in order to avoid making mistakes. First, we should examine and observe what is applicable to the occasion; second, we should use a correct sequence of syllogisms. It is obvious that the parameters the ancient philosopher attributes to wish are very similar to those of volition’s definition according to modern psychology. Some of the qualities the ancient philosopher attributes to desire and appetite are already obvious from what has been discussed a little before.
