Self-Control and Its Importance

Good self-control is a crucial factor in the distribution of life outcomes, ranging from success at school and work, to good mental and physical health, and to satisfying romantic relationships.

Current Understanding and Gaps

While in the last decades psychologists have learned much about this all-important trait, both social theory and politics have not caught up. Many academics and policymakers still seem to believe that everybody has unlimited capacity for self-control and that maintaining discipline is purely a matter of volition.

The Book's Contribution

This book shows that such beliefs are fundamentally mistaken. It presents the state-of-the-art in research on self-control, explains why this trait has been largely overlooked, and sets out the profound implications of this psychological research for moral responsibility, distributive justice and public policy.

Implications for Politics and Society

It shows that the growing emphasis in politics on personal responsibility is deeply problematic, and outlines alternatives more in accord with human psychology.