Action is one of the ten Aristotelian kategoriai listed in Cat. 1b—2a; his examples are “cuts,” “burns.” Both action and passion (paschein) admit of contraries and degrees (ibid. 11b). But in an ethical context Aristotle distinguishes (Eth. Nich. vi, 1140a) between poiein, in the sense of “to produce” (hence poietike episteme, productive science) from prattein (to act), (hence praktike episteme, practical science); see paschein, poietike, praxis, episteme, ergon. (FEPeters)