Abstract

This chapter focuses on the phenomenon of volitional or practical necessity, examining the experiences of those who do what they are committed to doing because, to quote Luther, they “can do no other.” What they care about, are dedicated to, is felt to urge itself upon them with such peremptory force as to make forbearance from a certain course of action practically impossible. It illustrates that such persons feel they “must” do what they do, but since there is more than one explanation for a person's inability to do other than one does, the particular sense of “must” being used here needs to be clarified. Moreover, integrity is sometimes ascribed to persons precisely because of this inability, and says they are acting with integrity because they are acting in accordance with a commitment that is felt as practical necessity.