This is a great example of an author taking a few methodological issues, doing some aggressive nitpicking, redefining some terms on the fly and then grandly extrapolating out to a ridiculous conclusion.
The author tries to say that people with good willpower and self control aren't actually exhibiting self control but have instead developed helpful strategies and techniques for coping with desire.
Well... Ok? It doesn't matter how temptation resistance manifests. Some people are better at it than others, and this makes them more successful.
From the way the text ends, it seems the author is eager to dismiss self agency because then it frees them to blame external forces like poverty or oppression for everyone's misfortune rather than personal failings.
[+] [-] new_time|6 years ago|reply
The author tries to say that people with good willpower and self control aren't actually exhibiting self control but have instead developed helpful strategies and techniques for coping with desire.
Well... Ok? It doesn't matter how temptation resistance manifests. Some people are better at it than others, and this makes them more successful.
From the way the text ends, it seems the author is eager to dismiss self agency because then it frees them to blame external forces like poverty or oppression for everyone's misfortune rather than personal failings.