Volition is the actual exercise of the power the
mind has to order the consideration of any idea, or
the forbearing to consider it. --Locke.
Volition is an act of the mind, knowingly exerting
that dominion it takes itself to have over any part
of the man, by employing it in, or withholding it
from, any particular action. --Locke.
2. The result of an act or exercise of choosing or willing; a
state of choice.
3. The power of willing or determining; will.
Syn: Will; choice; preference; determination; purpose.
Usage: {Volition}, {Choice}. Choice is the familiar, and
volition the scientific, term for the same state of
the will; viz., an ``elective preference.'' When we
have ``made up our minds'' (as we say) to a thing, i.
e., have a settled state of choice respecting it, that
state is called an immanent volition; when we put
forth any particular act of choice, that act is called
an emanent, or executive, or imperative, volition.
When an immanent, or settled state of, choice, is one
which controls or governs a series of actions, we call
that state a predominant volition; while we give the
name of subordinate volitions to those particular acts
of choice which carry into effect the object sought
for by the governing or ``predominant volition.'' See
{Will}.