Ainslie's paradox

Ainslie's paradox illustrates a situation in self-control where a person’s long-term goals conflict with immediate desires, leading to seemingly irrational choices. For example, craving a snack now might threaten future health goals. The paradox shows that even if someone values future benefits, their immediate impulses can override that. It highlights the challenge of balancing present temptations against future priorities, emphasizing that self-control involves complex mental processes. Essentially, it reveals how our desires can conflict with our best interests, making consistent self-control difficult despite knowing what’s best in the long run.