One of the lesser used words in the ancient Greek lexicon is “akrasia”, which is often defined as “lacking control or command over oneself”. While it is tempting to compare it to a modern word like “procrastination”, the meaning goes far deeper, encompassing “weakness of will” and “acting against one’s better judgement”.
When discussing the advantages of plant-based diets, many thoughtful and open-minded people will talk about their plans to convert to a plant-based diet in terms such as “I am eating much less meat than before” or “I plan to convert soon”. While such statements reflect acceptance of the justification and benefits of a plant-based diet, so many are unable to follow-through with the next steps.
This is not only a case of procrastination, but also the active continuation of behavior that has already been acknowledged as unacceptable is some way. The word akrasia suggests a weakness in character and draws into question the fundamental qualities of the sufferer. Many schools of thought, such as certain faith-based doctrine, have tried to ease the conscience of those suffering akrasia by appealing to strong notions of mind-body duality. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Such arguments can make the job of overcoming akrasia even harder.
So what can you do to conquer akrasia? Perhaps the best advice is to create an environment that makes you more likely to succeed at your goal. The idea is that, in moments when your willpower is strong, you try to rearrange your life in such a way as to encourage certain behaviors and discourage others. This often involves a plan to change habits that is accompanied by various commitments and goals. But time is on the devil’s side as any number of excuses can arise to derail your plans. Weakness in resolve can and will creep into the best laid plans. This is where a commitment device can come in handy.
The term “commitment device” originates in game theory and refers to a method of changing the incentives of a game to accomplish desired goals. Literature has many examples of commitment devices such as Odysseus binding himself to the mast of his boat to resist the siren’s song. More practical modern examples might involve a person destroying her credit cards to prevent further debt accumulation, or someone signing up for a fruit and vegetables delivery subscription to improve the quality of his diet. Both involve altering behavioral patterns or incentives to stop an activity and/or start a new one. Drastic examples of commitment devices involve jaw wiring for obese people or alcoholics taking drugs such as Antabuse, which elicit very unpleasant reactions when consuming alcohol.
So what kind of devices can be used to aid in the transition to a plant-based diet? Perhaps the best is to publicly announce that you are making a plant-based transition. Whether you plan to change your diet gradually or in stages, inform those around you that you are going to do it and set dates to make sure you are accountable. Another method is to make a wager, the more widely known, the better. As with the public announcement, publicly wager that you will stay the course and reach your goal. This type of wager can be particularly effective if made with unsupportive and cynical colleagues, friends, and family. The bitter thought of them gloating over your failure and their victory is a great incentive to stay the course.
Unfortunately, even the initiation of a commitment device can be subject to akrasia so there is a little bootstrapping of one’s will that is required. However, commitment devices incentivize and enforce behavior while preventing backsliding. A carefully planned set of commitment devices can offload the need for constant willpower to maintain your goals.
Undoing a lifetime of eating habits is not easy. The willpower needed to accomplish it is considerable and the habits built up over many years are difficult to abandon. Aristotle was aware of the difficulty of overcoming akrasia, so he came up with a solution: He invented a new word as an antonym to akrasia - enkrateia, “to be in power over oneself”. Unfortunately, invoking the word is unlikely to get you very far so I suggest designing and implementing some commitment devices first! This will help you develop a new system of habits, which will have its own rewards.
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