不自制问题是希腊理性主义伦理学面临的一个独特问题,对它的解答也显示出希腊伦理学理论的特质及发展。苏格拉底采取了极端理性主义立场,完全否认不自制的存在,并把灵魂非理性因素对行为的影响局限在对理性判断的作用上。之后的柏拉图和亚里士多德则在承认灵魂非理性因素作为独立行为驱动力能直接导致行为的基础上,重新对不自制予以肯定,但又分别依据自己的伦理学观念对不自制进行了不同的解释。以对不自制的不同解释为基点,可以发现希腊伦理学的内在逻辑发展。
The problem about Akrasia is a special problem for Greek rationalism ethics, and the answer to that problem does uncover the characters and development of Greek Ethics. Socratic answer is extremely rationalism which totally denies the existence of Akrasia and restricts the function of the rational part of soul to the impact on the thoughts. Plato and Aristotle affirm the existence of Akrasia again, and treat the irrational part of soul as independent psychological power of action ; but with respect to the problem about the conqueror and domestication of the irrational part of soul, they also diverse in option:knowledge or habits.