Common Quote by John Searle
![“"Akrasia" [weakness of will] in rational beings is as common as wine in France.” quote by John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65d/john-searle-17370_common_akrasia-weakness-of-will-in-rational-bei_976532.jpg)
“"Akrasia" [weakness of will] in rational beings is as common as wine in France.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mind, Language, and Society, 1992
Weakness of will is as common as wine in France, showing human irrationality is widespread
In simple terms: People often lack self-control, like wine is common in France
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage personal weakness
Themes
human nature
irrationality
self-control
philosophy
psychology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- daily decision making
- habit formation
- self-improvement
Key Concepts
willpower
behavioral economics
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your akrasia?
- How can environments reduce temptation?
A Different Perspective
Willpower alone may be insufficient without structural support
![“...[M]an and generally any rational being exists as an end in himself, not merely as a means to be arbitrarily used by this or that will, but in all his actions, whether they concern himself or other rational beings, must always be regarded at the same time as an end... [R]ational beings... are…” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5ff/immanuel-kant-532_freedom_m-an-and-generally-any-rational-being-ex_892667.jpg)
![“Beyond [known peoples of black West Africa] to the south there is no civilization in the proper sense. There are only humans who are closer to dumb animals than to rational beings. They live in thickets and caves, and eat herbs and unprepared grain. They frequently eat each other. They cannot be…” quote by Ibn Khaldun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52a/ibn-khaldun-24349_animal_beyond-known-peoples-of-black-west-afric_687710.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
