Abstract
This paper examines the relations between stubbornness and weakness of will, adopting Holton’s definition of weakness of
will as an over-readiness to revise one’s resolutions. It posits that both stubbornness and weakness of will are responses to
pessimism – the negative perception of a task or its outcome. Contrary to naive judgement, stubbornness is not merely the
opposite of weakness; rather, it serves as a preventive behaviour stemming from a fear of weakness of will. Weakness of will
and stubbornness can be viewed as two facets of the same phenomenon, both influenced by pessimism. The paper explores the implications of this unified account, particularly at the therapeutic level, suggesting that enhancing self and other trust could reduce both weak and stubborn behaviours.