Incontinence (philosophy)

For other uses, see Incontinence (disambiguation).

Incontinence ("a want of continence or self-restraint") is often used by philosophers to translate the Greek term Akrasia (ἀκρασία). Often used to refer to a lacking in moderation or self-control, especially related to sexual desire. This concept is also called wantonness.

In Dante's Inferno incontinence manifests itself as a She-Wolf and causes Dante's allegoric trip through the nine circles of hell; illustrating that Dante thought that incontinence was a enabler of heinous sins. He reasoned a lack of self control would result in unfavorable actions while restraint would yield fruitful returns.

Aristotle in Book VII of Nicomachean Ethics described incontinence as knowing virtue, but not having habituated it to control passion. For example: "Though I know courage is a virtue and understand the benefit to my situation, I am a coward because I have not habituated courage and can't control my fear." (Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics, Book VII).

Further reading

• Dahl, N.O. 1984. Practical Reason, Aristotle, and the Weakness of Will. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
• Wedin, M. 1988. Mind and Imagination in Aristotle. New Heaven: Yale University Press.