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Psychology Terms – Akrasia
A deficiency of willpower, or the act of contravening one's superior judgment. The notion was extensively examined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) in Nicomachean Ethics (Book 7), where he differentiated akrasia and its associated virtue, self-control, from self-indulgence and its related virtue, temperance. Aristotle exemplified the dichotomy through the act of consuming sweet foods: 'The former [the self-indulgent individual] is guided by his own volition, believing he should perpetually seek immediate gratification; whereas the latter [the akrates] does not share this belief yet nonetheless engages in the pursuit.' (Bekker edition, p. 1146b).
A deficiency of willpower, or the act of contravening one's superior judgment. The notion was extensively examined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) in Nicomachean Ethics (Book 7), where he differentiated akrasia and its associated virtue, self-control, from self-indulgence and its related virtue, temperance. Aristotle exemplified the dichotomy through the act of consuming sweet foods: 'The former [the self-indulgent individual] is guided by his own volition, believing he should perpetually seek immediate gratification; whereas the latter [the akrates] does not share this belief yet nonetheless engages in the pursuit.' (Bekker edition, p. 1146b).
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