Weakness of will – knowingly pursuing the worse outcome – is psychologically impossible: ‘No one does wrong willingly’.

What was Socrates teaching on weakness of will?

Weakness of will – knowingly pursuing the worse outcome – is psychologically impossible: ‘No one does wrong willingly’.

What is the story of Gyges?

Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the king of Lydia. He found a ring, which turned him invisible when he twisted it onto his finger. Gyges used this power of invisibility to commit unjust acts; he seduced the queen and then worked with her to create a plan to kill the king, and take over the kingdom.

What is Akrasia and why is it important?

The Greek word ‘akrasia’ is usually said to translate literally as ‘lack of self-control’, but it has come to be used as a general term for the phenomenon known as weakness of will, or incontinence, the disposition to act contrary to one’s own considered judgment about what it is best to do.

What is weakness of the will?

At least since the middle of the twentieth century, philosophers have tended to identify weakness of will with akrasia—i.e. acting, or having a disposition to act, contrary to one’s judgments about what is best for one to do.

What does Akrasia mean?

lacking command

What is Akrasia quizlet?

Problem in moral psychology: we sometimes will things that we know are not in our own self-interest or are unable to do things we know are good (also called akrasia).

What is the Akrasia effect?

Akrasia is the state of acting against your better judgment. It is when you do one thing even though you know you should do something else. Loosely translated, you could say that akrasia is procrastination or a lack of self-control. Akrasia is what prevents you from following through on what you set out to do.

What motivates action in the psychology of Akrasia?

In akrasia, an agent intentionally acts against her own judgment about what it is best to do. Because the akratic acts for a reason but against the conclusion of her practical reasoning, there must be a way of acting for reasons other than through reasoning about them. This way is desire.

What is an example of Akrasia?

One can be akratic, and act against their interest, but still be strong-willed. For example, I’m certainly akratic when it comes to my diet. I know that being vegan would be better for me in terms of health, ethics, and environment, but I am not vegan. I choose to eat meat all the same.

What is the opposite of Akrasia?

For Aristotle, enkrateia is the antonym of akrasia (ἀκρασία from ἀ = without + κράτος = power, control) which means “lacking command (over oneself)”.

Where is Ring of Gyges?

Plato’s Ring of Gyges Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the ruler of Lydia. One day there was a violent thunderstorm, and an earthquake broke open the ground and created a crater at the place where Gyges was tending his sheep.

How do you overcome procrastination?

Finding This Article Useful?

1. Forgive yourself for procrastinating in the past.
2. Commit to the task.
3. Promise yourself a reward.
4. Ask someone to check up on you.
5. Act as you go.
6. Rephrase your internal dialog.
7. Minimize distractions .
8. Aim to “eat an elephant beetle” first thing, every day!