What does it mean to accept a norm? In Wise Choices, Apt Feelings, Allan Gibbard wants to find what does it mean to be “rational” in terms of accepting norms. The idea is that, to call an action rational is, to express one 's acceptance of a system of norms which allows it. To call an action irrational is to express one 's acceptance of a system of norms which forbids it. For Gibbard, a norm is a significant kind of a psychological state of the mind, which is not fully understandable for us. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the problem with Gibbard’s acceptance of a norm and being in the grip of a norm. According to Gibbard, to judge that x is morally wrong is to express acceptance of a system of norms which permit feeling guilt for x-ing and resentment towards those who x. He wants to distinguish between accepting a norm and being in the grip of a norm. For Gibbard, the psychological state of the mind is involved in a accepting a norm, the animal system and normative system. Normative serves to coordinate behavior, we need this to get along with groups such as sharing food at a party, socializing at a party, so that people don’t think you’re a freak. Humans, like animals, act on appetites and urges. One problem that rises is, how can we tell when humans are acting on accepted norms or acting on urges and appetites? My understanding of accepting a norm is suppose I illustrate my weakness by eating a lot of candy while on a diet. Gibbard would say that I accept a