The role of akrasia and/or weakness of willpower in the lack of moral commitment from the perspective of Imam Ali (as)

This article uses a descriptive-analytical method to explain the possibility and treatment of akrasia and/or weakness of willpower in human beings from the standpoint of Imam Ali (as). While akracia has often been considered a weakness of the willpower, some philosophers have different views between them, some calling the former an act contrary to moral judgment while others call it an act against a moral decision or an unjustified violation of a decision. Imam Ali (as) refers to both cases in explaining the moral decline of man. From the point of view of Imam Ali (AS), akrasia (action contrary to moral belief) occurs in two cases:1- Lack of certainty and 2- Neglect of the doer. Thus, "doubt" and "negligence" are introduced as the most important factors that reduce the inner power of belief to issue the appropriate verb. To deal with akracia and its treatment, it is necessary to strengthen the motivational role of knowing the moral agent through gaining certainty (overcoming doubt) and warning (eliminating negligence and distraction). Also in Nahj al-Balaghah, the weakness of the willpower of the moral actor has been indicated and explained with words such as "vahn" (frailty) and "fatra" (laziness). Moral strength and weakness are described as an internal battle between material desires (lusts and aspirations) and moral determination (stability). Weakness of willpower can be treated with patience, diligence, determination and effort to pave the way for the right decision.