Sober Philosophy: Weakness of Will (Gabriel presents)

Weakness of will (akrasia): knowingly doing B when you judge A better.

The puzzle: if we always act on what we think best, how is that possible?

Socrates: it isn't. In the moment you sincerely misjudge B as better, so you don't know A is best.

Aristotle: you do know A is better, but desire is a separate force that keeps that knowledge from governing what you do.

Davidson: you judge A better all things considered but never reach the unconditional judgment that drives action.

Holton: everyday weakness of will is abandoning a resolution, which differs from acting against your judgment.

2-MINUTE OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (2ORF):

1. The topic presenter begins the discussion by taking up to two minutes explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
2. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter has up to two minutes to describe their general thoughts on the topic.
3. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
4. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
5. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into TDRF>4 below.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT (TDRF>4):
If there are 4 or less people present we will have unstructured discussion, otherwise we will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. If one is not ready to direct they dimply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
4. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
5. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
6. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interruptions or redirections.
7. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

TOPIC SELECTION:
For the last 10 minutes of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.