One of the world’s most influential psychologists turns his attention to some of the most important questions of our lives: Who am I? What am I? What might I become?

Join Roy Baumeister, celebrated professor and New York Times best-selling author, on a journey inward to discover the origin and meaning of the self. In 15 audio lectures, Dr. Baumeister draws from his renowned laboratory research to demonstrate the urgency of questions of self and identity in the modern world.

Dr. Baumeister begins by showing that the self is what separates humans from other animals. The human self—self-aware, enmeshed in meaningful stories, sensitive to morality and reputation, and endlessly self-altering—has no equal anywhere in nature. The lectures explore the general truths and patterns of the self that have been identified by psychologists while recognizing that each self is unique.

Individual lectures address the role of self-esteem, as well as self-control, decision making, and free will. Dr. Baumeister also examines the darker side of the self in lectures on self-deception and self-destructive patterns, including bad decision making and suicide.

After listening to this series, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of self that is firmly grounded in scientific research. Perhaps most important, you’ll grasp the interpersonal role of the self, which took shape to help us relate to other people and, ultimately, to survive.

This course is part of the Learn25 Collection.