15/09/2025
Our Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience seminar starts today. Our first session is:
‘The aims of self-control’, Polaris Koi (University of Turku)
15th of September, 3-5pm (UK Time)
Seminar Room on level 5 at 62 Hillhead (the Psychology Building)
Abstract
Standardly, self-control is thought to be something we do to delay gratification, and to pursue aims like dieting, exercise, and productivity. This conception associates self-control with individualistic conceptions of agency, where an individual agent deploys self-control for personal long-term gain. In this paper, I argue that while this conception captures part of what self-control is good for, it also obscures how fundamental it is for human agency. Drawing on multiple strains of inquiry across disciplines, I suggest that the ability we now associate with goal pursuit may in fact have evolved for the aims of prosociality and care. Drawing attention to these as the primary aims of self-control help us appreciate the fundamental nature of this capacity for human agency and community, and to respond to the criticism that self-control would only be of value within neoliberalism.
We are pleased to make this event hybrid. Zoom details are available to those who subscribe to our mailing list. To do so please e-mail [email protected].
Details of the other events this year are available at:
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