willentlicher

Willentlicher is a German adjective derived from Wille (will) with the suffix -entlich, yielding a sense of something pertaining to or caused by the will. The term is chiefly found in philosophical, psychological, and linguistic discussions rather than in everyday language. It signals a focus on volition as a determining factor in action or process.

In scholarly use, willentlicher describes actions, decisions, or processes that arise from an agent’s will rather than from external forces, automatic routines, or causal accident. It is related to the English term volitional and to other German expressions such as willentlich (intentionally) or willensbezogen (will-related). The nuance differs: willentlicher emphasizes the causal role of volition in bringing about outcomes, whereas willentlich stresses intentionality or conscious purpose, and willensbezogen highlights a broader connection to will.

Because willentlicher is not a common dictionary entry in standard references, many writers prefer alternatives like willentlich or willensbezogen, depending on the exact nuance they intend. When encountered, the term typically appears in analytical discussions about agency, freedom of will, or goal-directed behavior, often in contrast to reflexive, habitual, or externally determined actions.

In translation, willentlicher can be rendered as “volitional” or “will-driven” to convey the emphasis on volition. The term remains relatively specialized, and its use is best understood within its philosophical or theoretical context. See also Wille, Willensfreiheit, Willensakt, and willentlich for related concepts of choice, capacity for will, and intentional action.