On willing selves : neoliberal politics vis-̐ua-vis the neuroscientific challenge

The neurosciences propose that the concept of will is scientifically untenable - it is our brain rather than our 'self' that controls our choices. Yet we seem to be confronted with increasing free choice in all areas of life. Using up-to-date empirical research in the social sciences and philosophy, this volume addresses the seeming contradiction. Postmodern theories heralded the "death of the subject", and thereby deeply contested our intuition that we are free and willing selves. In recent times, the (free) will has come under attack yet again. Findings from the neuro- and cognitive sciences claim the concept of will to be scientifically untenable, specifying that it is our brain rather than our 'self' which decides what we want to do. In spite of these challenges however, the willing self has come to take centre stage in our society: juridical and moral practices ascribing guilt, or the organization of everyday life attributing responsibilities, for instance, can hardly be understood without taking recourse to the willing subject. In this vein, the authors address topics such as the genealogy of the concept of willing selves, the discourse on agency in neuroscience and sociology, the political debate on volition within neoliberal and neoconservative regimes, approaches toward novel forms of relational responsibility as well as moral evaluations in conceptualizing autonomy Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction: Reviving a Sociology of Willing Selves....Pages 1-19 Front Matter....Pages 21-24 Self-Help: The Making of Neosocial Selves in Neoliberal Society....Pages 25-52 Technologies of the Will and Their Christian Roots....Pages 53-76 Front Matter....Pages 77-80 Governing the Will in a Neurochemical Age....Pages 81-99 The Person as an Effect of Communication....Pages 100-120 Front Matter....Pages 121-124 Creating Citizen-Consumers? Public Service Reform and (Un)Willing Selves....Pages 125-145 Neopolitics: Voluntary Action in the New Regime....Pages 146-166 ‘Craving’ Research: Smart Drugs and the Elusiveness of Desire....Pages 167-187 Front Matter....Pages 189-192 From Voluntary to Relational Action: Responsibility in Question....Pages 193-208 The Role of the Self-Model for Self-Determination....Pages 209-226 Back Matter....Pages 227-234