How is akrasia possible after all?

Ratio 12 (3):257–270 (1999)
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Abstract

I attempt to save akrasia from the skeptical doubt and denial as to its possibility in a new way. I argue that the akratic agent – the akrates – has unconscious reason(s) for the akratic action. Moreover, the akrates does not weigh and value the reasons for and against the akratic action in full awareness, including their emotive significance, consciously experienced as feelings. He follows his feelings favoring the akratic action (since he does not tolerate or resist them), and does not let his unconscious emotions, supporting the wanted, chosen action, play a causal role in impelling him to perform this action.

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Amihud Gilead
University of Haifa

Citations of this work

El problema de la akrasia en las Disertaciones de Epicteto.Rodrigo Sebastián Braicovich - 2008 - Logos. Anales Del Seminario de Metafísica [Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España] 41:109-130.

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References found in this work

Desiring the bad: An essay in moral psychology.Michael Stocker - 1979 - Journal of Philosophy 76 (12):738-753.
Paradoxes of Irrationality.Donald Davidson - 2004 - In Problems of rationality. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 169–187.
Skepticism about weakness of will.Gary Watson - 1977 - Philosophical Review 86 (3):316-339.
Psychic feelings: Their importance and irreducibility.Michael Stocker - 1983 - Australasian Journal of Philosophy 61 (1):5-26.

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