William Damon

Today it’s an honor to have Dr. William Damon on the podcast. Dr. Damon is Director of the Stanford Center on Adolescence and Professor of Education at Stanford University. Damon’s current research explores how young people develop purpose in their civic, work, family, and community relationships. He examines how people learn to approach their vocational and civic lives with a focus on purpose, imagination, and high standards of excellence. Damon also has written widely about how to educate for moral and ethical understanding. Dr. Damon’s most recent books include The Power of Ideals, Failing Liberty 101, and The Path to Purpose: Helping Our Children Find Their Calling in Life. In this wide-ranging discussion, we cover the following topics: - The definition of purpose - The role of values in purpose - The difference between purpose and meaning - Vicktor Frankl’s “will to meaning” - How purpose is a late developing capacity - The difference between purpose and resiliency - The paths to purpose among young people - Methods for developing purpose - Moral commitment among moral exemplars - Purpose among leaders - The importance of taking "ultimate responsibility" in life - How we are leaving young people unprepared in a civic society Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. William Damon is a Professor of Education at Stanford University, where he directs the Center on Adolescence and is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. His research has received numerous grants and awards from several Foundations and trusts, including the John Templeton, Andrew Mellon, and Spencer Foundations. He has authored and co-authored fifteen books on the topics of child development, education, morality, and purpose, including Greater Expectations which received the Parent’s Choice book award. Throughout his distinguished career, he has focused on a number of topics related to moral development. In this podcast, we discuss his research with moral exemplars, his interests in the development of purpose and its effects, as well as his forthcoming book on the development of purpose in his own life. Full transcript available at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sYYOgNptXnSRXeXbw9sUZb-MGt73WjeE APA citation: Cazzell, A. R. (Host). (2019, October 1). Moral Exemplars and Beyond-the-Self Purpose with William Damon [Audio Podcast]. Retrieved from https://anchor.fm/amber-cazzell0

William Damon, a Stanford psychologist and author, discusses the impactful practice of a life review. He reveals how looking back can help clarify one's present and future. Damon shares his personal journey of uncovering his father's complex life, leading to insights about self-discovery and transformation. He emphasizes the importance of family connections and confronting past regrets to foster growth. The conversation highlights how intentional reflection can refine one's life purpose and enhance overall well-being.