Philosophical Accounts

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter provides philosophical novices with a spotlight overview highlighting historically influential as well as contemporary accounts. It contrasts these approaches with respect to their terminology (e.g. ‘akrasia’, ‘incontinentia’, ‘moral weakness’), conception of the phenomenon (state of character, weakness of a faculty of the mind, failure of foresight or of practical reasoning, etc.), and presumed normative failure (of knowledge, morality, or rationality). Accounts that rely on discounting theory (Mele, Bratman) are discussed in greater detail. This chapter breaks down into the following sections: ancient philosophers (Plato’s Socrates and Aristotle); Hare; Davidson; Mele and Bratman; Holton