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Definition:
Weakness of will is the label used for when someone performs some action they know
is wrong even though they are capable of acting otherwise. Thus, agent A is capable
of performing either action x or action y, and honestly believes that
x is the best choice to make - nevertheless, y is chosen.
The question of why a rational person would freely choose to do something known to be wrong is one which has preoccupied ethical philosophers since at least Plato. It is also a paradox for the entire notion of volition and will because it is normally assumed that when one chooses to do y rather than x, it is because she wants to do y more than she wants to do x. What's more, if she realizes that it is better to do y than to do x, then she also necessarily wants to do y more than x. Thus, weakness of will would seem to be impossible.
Also Known As: incontinence, acrasia
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What are Ethics and Morality?
Ethics is the formal study of moral standards and conduct. For this reason, the study of ethics is also often called "moral philosophy." What is good? What is evil? How should I behave - and why? How should I balance my needs against the needs of others?What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
