The Akrasia Paradox: Why We Don't Do What We Know We Should?

Have you ever set a goal, fully aware of its importance, yet found yourself avoiding it? That behavior has surprisingly not developed due to the internet, but it has been around for centuries. Studied by multiple philosophers, this conscious delay is known as 'Akrasia,' a Greek term referring to the act of doing something against our better judgment; procrastination. When you decide to finish a book or study for an exam, you’re setting goals for your future self, thus your present mind decides to indulge in immediate pleasure instead, a sign that the brain is constantly hungry for gratification.

Akrasia Through History

Although first appearing in Greek philosophy around 400 BCE, the idea was explored by multiple philosophers, especially garnering attention after Plato talked about the conflict between human desire and rationality in his book Protagoras. Similarly, in Aristotle’s Ethics, he explained that an akratic person acts against their logical reasoning due to a weak will, further linking it to impetuosity. He categorized this behavior into four categories: Impetuosity due to pleasure or anger, and weakness due to pleasure or anger.

Another theory that was proposed is 'Time Inconsistency.' It states that the brain values instant rewards more than future rewards, which is the best explanation for this habit.

Procrastination - A Coping Mechanism

Fighting Akrasia