Single Idea 23918

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

Full Idea

The discord between the good and the pleasant in one's feelings is lack of self-control.

Clarification

Lack of self-control is weakness of will, or 'akrasia'

Gist of Idea

Akrasia is the clash of two feelings - goodness and pleasure

Source

Aristotle (Eudemian Ethics [c.333 BCE], 1237a08)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Eudemian Ethics', ed/tr. Reeve, C.D.C. [Hackett 2021], p.116


A Reaction

A nice clear statement of his view, which opposes the view of Socrates that akrasia is a failure of reason or judgement. Goodness seems to be treated here as a feeling, which is unusual.