Purpose, an active commitment to accomplish aims that are meaningful to the self and of consequence to the world beyond the self, is future-oriented. Purposeful people look ahead to goals they seek to accomplish over the long haul. The psychological benefit of purpose lies in the strengths that forward-looking commitments bring: motivation, energy, achievement, hope, and resilience. Purpose is a prime example of how a person’s future aspirations can shape their self-development. In every age Professor William Damon has studied, purpose stands out as a key to positive living. However, memories of the past can play a crucial role in shaping the future, if those memories are treated in a positive and forward-looking manner. Professor Damon will describe his own experience that illustrates this and shows how this can be done both early and late in life.

William Damon, professor of education and senior fellow, by courtesy, at the Hoover Institution
Traitel Building (D-4), Hauck Auditorium