Why do humans act in opposition to what they take to be the best course of action? Thero (cognitive science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Adirondack Community College) considers this akrasia within the philosophic tradition, recognizing both weak (satisfying a less strict set of criteria) and strict types. He works through thought from Socr.

The original position contractarian model of ethical reasoning put forth by John Rawls has been examined as a basis for an environmental ethic on three previous occasions in this journal and in Peter Wenz’s Environmental Justice. In this article, I critically examine each of these treatments, analyzing the proposals offered and identifying their shortcomings. I find a total of seven different proposals in this literature for modifying Rawls’ theory to augment its adequacy or as a ground environmental ethics. The diverse (...) difficulties that arise in attempting to apply Rawls suggest the conclusion that Rawlsian ethics may not be a suitable foundation for an adequate long-term environmental ethics. (shrink)