Philosophy

In Nicomachean Ethics, Book VII Page (99-119), Aristotle discusses “incontinence,” or weakness of will. In the case of weakness of will, a person knows which action is in accord with virtue, but allows appetites to overpower reason and chooses to act against reason and virtue. Aristotle argues that the possibility of weakness of will shows that virtue is more than simply knowledge (as Socrates thought), for a person can have knowledge of what is right yet fail to do it.

According to Aristotle, what gives rise to weakness of will, and how can a person with weakness of will be improved?