Wall, D. (2009) Akrasia and self-control. Philosophical Explorations. 12(1), pp. 69-78. 1386-9795.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | According to Gary Watson (1977) if we choose not to implement a judgment about what it is best to do then we must have changed that judgment. On those grounds he rejects an otherwise plausible account of akrasia, or weakness of will, that explains it in terms of the relative strengths of the agent s desires to act against and in accordance with their evaluative judgment. However, Watson seems to assume what I call a ‘principle of closure of evaluation’, a principle that I argue can fail. The possibility of such failure of closure of evaluation means that Watson’s argument can be resisted, allowing us to maintain this plausible account of akrasia. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Akrasia, Davidson, D., desires, evaluation, Mele, A., practical rationality, weakness of will, self-control |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics > BJ1468.5 Akrasia. Will |
| Creators: | Wall, David |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: |
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016) Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Applied Social Studies & Sociology |
| Date: | March 2009 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 69-78 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Philosophical Explorations |
| Volume: | 12 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1080/13869790802627256 |
| ISSN: | 1386-9795 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| References: | Arpaly, N. (2000) On Acting Rationally Against One’s Best Judgment. Ethics (April), 110 (3): 488-513. Benson, J. 1971. Wants, Desires and Deliberation. Weakness of Will, edited by G. Mortimer. London: MacMillan. Cooper, N. 1971. Oughts and Wants. Weakness of Will, edited by G. Mortimer. London: MacMillan. Davidson, D. 1969. How is Weakness of the Will Possible? reprinted in 1980. Essays on Actions and Events. New York: Clarendon Press. ———. 1978. Intending, reprinted in 1980. Essays on Actions and Events New York: Clarendon Press. Hare, R.M. 1963. Freedom and Reason. Oxford: Clarendon Press, reprinted as Backsliding, in 1971 Weakness of Will, edited by G. Mortimer. London: MacMillan. Holton, R. 1999. Intention and Weakness of Will. Journal of Philosophy (May) 96 (5): 241-262. ———. 2005. The Act of Choice. Philosophers Imprint 6 (3). Kennett, J. and Smith, M. 1996. Frog and Toad Lose Control. Analysis, (April) 56: 63-73. McConnell, T. 2006. Moral Dilemmas. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Online http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-dilemmas/ McIntyre, A. 2004. The Doctrine of Double Effect. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Online http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/double-effect/ Mele, A. 1986. Is Akratic Action Unfree? Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 46: 673-679. ———. 1987. Irrationality. New York: OUP. ———. 2003. Motivation and Agency. New York: OUP. Plato 1956. Protagoras and Meno. London: Penguin, extract Can a Man Knowingly Pursue Evil? reprinted in 1971. Weakness of Will edited by G. Mortimer. London: MacMillan. Rorty, A. 1980. Where Does the Akratic Break Take Place? Australasian Journal of Philosophy 58: 333-346. Santas, G. 1971. Plato’s Protogoras and Explanations of Weakness. Weakness of Will edited by G. Mortimer. London: MacMillan. Smith, M. Forthcoming. Transmission Failure Explained. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Tenenbaum, S.1999. The Judgment of a Weak Will. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 59 (4): 875-911. Watson, G. 1975. Free Agency. Journal of Philosophy 57 ———. 1977. Skepticism about Weakness of Will. Philosophical Review 86, 3 (July): 316-339. Wiggins, D. 1987. Needs, Values, Truth: Essays in the Philosophy of Value. New York: OUP. |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/3936 |
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