Audi and Self Deception

A detailed Summary of Audi and Self Deception

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1. What is the philosophical problem of self-deception?

Just as Akrasia of actions is considered weakness of will, Akrasia of beliefs is considered self-deception. Self-deception refers to the way in which we (humans) can work our minds around something to trick ourselves into rationalising something that is irrational.

It can be considered as knowing what we ought to believe, but believing something else. This leads to a problem of inconsistency, in that how can we hold inconsistent beliefs, while being rational beings?

Most people would agree with the idea that humans deceive themselves, and there are a number of examples (as given in the lectures) that outline exactly how "everyday" this problem is, some including people who are sick but deny that they are, or addicts that deny that their addiction. Both cases show h

2. How does Audi attempt to solve it?

Audi sees the main problem with self-deception as being when "self-deceivers both believe and disbelieve the same proposition".

3. Is his solution satisfactory? Consider his example.

Some might say that this is an example of self-delusion rather than self-deception, but I would reply that I see self-delusion as referring to cases of self-deception in which the deception is not strong enough, or lasts long enough to really deceive the subject. Or in other words, self-deception refers to cases of self-delusion which are strong enough to carry through and effectively deceive the subject for a substantial period of time.

In dealing with the idea that the self-deceiver "believes and disbelieves the same proposition" he offers that in such cases one of the beliefs is an unconscious belief, this meaning that the belief is hidden from the subject at the time, but in all other respects is "almost entirely like any o

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Approximate Word count = 644
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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