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The Human Condition: Philosophical Issues Crime, Law, & Justice Select a Feature... Philosophy Main Page General Resources Philosophy Glossary Resources: Ancient Philosophy Resources: Medieval Philosophy Resources: Modern Philosophy Resources: Recent Philosophy Philosophical Quotations Philosophical Issues Articles & Essays Philosophy Mini-Courses The Human Condition Main Index Crime, Law, & Justice Main Page
Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		Mortimer J. Adler: On Coercion and Duress   Free choice is voluntary action, the very opposite of the compulsory. What is called, coercion occurs when individuals are compelled by force to do something that they would not do voluntarily. The individual who surrenders his wallet to a thug who holds a revolver to his head does so under compulsion and involuntarily. He is being coerced. Police, who enforce the law against criminals' exercise coercive force. If all individuals obeyed the law voluntarily because they acknowledged its authority and its justice, there would be no need for coercive force. Because they do not, coercive force must be used to enforce law in a population that includes individuals who do not acknowledge its authority and justice What about those acts which no one would do voluntarily, but, which, nevertheless, are not done to avoid the threat of coercive force. Are they done voluntarily or involuntarily? In his Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter I, Aristotle considers the action of the captain of a ship who throws his cargo overboard in order to save his ship in a storm at sea. Is he acting voluntarily or involuntarily? Clearly, it is not involuntarily. The captain is not compelled to jettison his cargo under the circumstances, but under those circumstances, he thinks it preferable to jettison the cargo rather than lose his ship. The word "duress" is used for such actions that partake of both the voluntary and the involuntary. Another word that might be used for such actions is "nonvoluntary." It applies to actions that partake of both the voluntary and the involuntary. The captain could have chosen otherwise under the circumstances. His choice, being free, is voluntary. All of us, who act under duress, act voluntarily and by free choice. We are not compelled or coerced, but we also do something that no one would regard as desirable.   Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials The Human Condition Main Index Crime, Law, & Justice Main Page
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