What is the Will?

[laircy]

I can’t figure out what the “will” is. It doesn’t seem perceptible to me. It is just the “desire” to do something? Because I thought that was part of the emotions, since we can “feel” like doing this or that, even something sinful, while knowing it is wrong. Is it the intellectual conviction to do or not do something despite what you feel like? But even the will is not the same thing as the intellect. You might rationalize something, or “know” that you ought to do something but not actually do it. So what is the will?

 

[GEddie]

The will is the aspect of our psyche that directs the body to deliberate action. This action can be as simple as wiggling a hand, or as complex as engaging in acts of self-denial.

Because action originates in the will, the muscles of our bodies that we consciously control, such as the limbs, neck, etc, are called “voluntary” ie, governed by the will. Movements that we do not control ie, reflexes, are called “involuntary.”

The will is not the mind, nor is it the emotional self, because either of these can lead the body into action. For that matter, the will is not the conscience, as it is perfectly possible for someone to act against his or her conscience.

ICXC NIKA

 

[mh2007]

The Will is intentional. Like you must have the will (i.e. the intention) to accomplish something. Or to willfully do something for a purpose. We need willpower to do things that we might not normally be inclined to do. The will gives you impetus to go ahead and try to do or overcome something you might otherwise shy away from.