In the previous chapter, Ar. identified one key element in having virtue of character: voluntary action. However, as Ar. explains in this chapter, decision (prohairesis) in actions is necessary in order to be virtuous. But what is decision? Here, Ar. conducts a brief initial investigation into the nature of decision. Ar. excludes the possibilities that decision is appetite, wish, or judgement. He concludes this paragraph by indicating that decision is the product of prior deliberation.

1111b4- 1112a15 No that the voluntary...chosen before other things.