Self-binding as first move lets a present self control a future self

Evidence

But his deafened crew could not hear his pleas, and, as ordered, they only bound him tighter and rowed harder — until the island and its deadly song fell away behind them. Odysseus had heard the Sirens and survived, the only man ever to do so — not by being stronger than the temptation, but by being wise enough, in advance, to know he would be weak, and to bind himself against his own weakness before the moment of temptation came. — , A Year of World Stories, 14165 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Direct willing into future action fails but indirect self-binding through external devices works; Self-binding in advance defeats temptation that cannot be resisted at the moment — , A Year of World Stories, 14165; Binding oneself can paradoxically strengthen one’s bargaining position — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 60 (+3 more)

Related

• Self-binding in advance defeats temptation that cannot be resisted at the moment (similarity 0.89)
• Direct willing into future action fails but indirect self-binding through external devices works (similarity 0.88)
• Self-discipline can be externalized by physically constraining oneself (similarity 0.87)
• Successful self-binding commitment depends on trustworthy others enforcing it (similarity 0.82)

Broader Connections

• Self-binding in advance defeats temptation that cannot be resisted at the moment #corroborates (0.95) — , A Year of World Stories, 14165