Abstract:
According to traditional philosophical literature, Akrasia is defined as
acting against one’s best judgment. Philosophers have considered
Akrasia as synonymous with the weakness of will. However, Holton
considers these two phenomena to be distinct and argues that weakness
of will is better understood as over-readily giving up on one's
resolutions. This study seeks to show that these two phenomena – unlike
Holton's claim – are not distinct, but the accounts of Akrasia and
weakness of will take two approaches to explain the reasons behind
quitting actions: (1) in terms of its relationship to the agent; and (2) in
terms of its relationship to the action. The researcher attempts to show
that Holton's interpretation of the weakness of will refers to the second
perspective whereas Aristotle approaches it from two perspectives.
However, on duly analyzing the elements put forward by Holton, we can
see them to be consistent with those of Aristotle
Machine summary:
This study seeks to show that these two phenomena – unlike Holton's claim – are not distinct, but the accounts of Akrasia and weakness of will take two approaches to explain the reasons behind quitting actions: (1) in terms of its relationship to the agent; and (2) in terms of its relationship to the action.
Keywords: Akrasia, Weakness of will, Intention, Belief, Agent, Action, Aristotle, Holton.
This study aims to illustrate that these two phenomena, unlike the view held by Holton, are not different phenomena and that the account of Akrasia and that of weakness of will which has been put forward so far, are actually viewing the failure to act from two different perspectives, namely in terms of its relation to the agent and its relation to the action.
If one takes belief, desire, and intention as three elements required for the accomplishment of an action, it follows that on judging X as right, the agent can do the action provided he is, 1 -willing to do it, and 2- intends to do the action.
Touching on the difference between weakness of will and Akrasia, Holton (2012) maintains that weakness of will is related to revision of intention while Akrasia is related to l ack of intention, that is, having no self-control, an akratic man can not intend a right action while a weak-willed agent has intended to do the action but he fails to do so due to the influence of contrary desires, causing him to violate his previous intention.