From Brian Knutson at Edge.org: Five years from now, what will your future self think of your current self? Will you even be the same person? Considering your future self to be an entirely different person could have serious consequences. People who regard the future self as distinct should logically have no more reason to care about that future self. They should have no reason to save money, maintain their health or cultivate relationships. The extent to which people imagine their future self to be similar to their present self might predict their willingness to consider the interests of the future self. Applied research suggests that adolescents with greater future self-continuity show less delinquent behaviour and that adults with greater future self-continuity act more ethically in business transactions. Future self-continuity may even operate at the group level, since cultures that value respect for elders tend to save more, while nations with longer histories tend to have clea...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.