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Single Idea 68

[catalogued under 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / d. Weakness of will]

Full Idea

The incontinent man (weak-willed, 'akrates') acts from desire but not from choice, but the continent man (controlled, 'enkrates') acts from choice but not from desire.

Clarification

'Akrasia' is literally lack of control, and 'enkrateia' is control

Gist of Idea

The akrates acts from desire not choice, and the enkrates acts from choice not desire

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1111b14)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.116


A Reaction

These two categories are contrasted with the truly wicked and the truly good, in both of whom choice and desire work together. The akrates and the enkrates include most people, hovering in the middle ground of moral apprenticeship.