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It's a problem in general when we pin the fault of something on a moral failing. It's a cop-out that does nothing to solve the problem. If we want to discourage
by samd 16y ago
It's a problem in general when we pin the fault of something on a moral failing. It's a cop-out that does nothing to solve the problem. If we want to discourage some behavior in our society we have to look at the causes and try to mitigate them. Unfortunately many people refuse to even consider the reasons for people's behavior.
- hugh3 16y agoBut what about when it is just a moral failing? What if it is just a matter of developing the modest amount of willpower required to say "Actually on second thoughts I won't have that cheesecake for dessert, an apple will be just fine". In that case the worst thing you can possibly do is to blame it on anything other than personal failings.
- samd 16y agoI don't think a lack of willpower is a moral failing, but let's suppose it is. How does that help somebody eat healthy? Wouldn't it be more effective to just tell people to avoid cheesecake if they can't help but eat it when it's around? If you could find a way to give people the willpower to do the things they know they ought to do that'd be great, but nobody's managed to figure that one out yet.
- Natsu 16y ago> I don't think a lack of willpower is a moral failing, but let's suppose it is. How does that help somebody eat healthy? They can train themselves to have more. There was a fine article on that very subject on HN some months ago. I believe it said that one key to self-control was not to attempt to fight the urge, but rather to avoid it. The kid who tried to stare down the cookie broke down and ate it. The kid who hid under the table resisted (and got something better, later). The nice thing about that is that learning to develop more willpower helps you everywhere.