LessWrong (30+ Karma) “Dominance: The Standard Everyday Solution To Akrasia” by johnswentworth
Nov 20, 2025
The discussion dives into akrasia, explaining it as acting against one's better judgment, with procrastination as a prime example. Common remedies like willpower are examined, but the conversation highlights a surprising standard solution—having authority figures guide behavior. Military and classroom settings demonstrate how dominance effectively propels action. John also explores the economic implications of dominance, suggesting it nurtures productivity, while framing it as a rationalism suited for submissive individuals, supported by examples of dom-sub dynamics.
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Dominance As The Default Fix
- Most people solve akrasia by responding to dominance or authority rather than internal willpower techniques.
- John S. Wentworth argues dominance-authority relations are the default, economy-wide solution to akrasia.
Examples From Military And Classrooms
- Wentworth gives concrete examples: military service gets people into fitness and classrooms get people to study.
- These institutional dominance structures reliably push people to do things they'd otherwise procrastinate on.
Boss Selection For Dominance
- Bosses are selected in companies largely for maintaining dominance and ensuring work gets done.
- Wentworth suggests dominance may be the primary value bosses provide beyond technical skill.