Overstraining Human Nature in the Nicomachean Ethics

In this paper, I investigate Aristotle’s claim in Nicomachean Ethics III.1 about situations that “overstrain human nature.” By setting out and answering several interpretative questions about such situations, I offer a comprehensive interpretation of this passage. I argue that in (at least some of) these cases, the agent voluntarily does something wrong, even though there is a right action available. Furthermore, I argue that Aristotle would think it is possible for a rare agent to perform the right action in (at least some of) these cases, overcoming the limitations of human nature by identifying with the divine part of the soul.