MAKING A CLEAN BREAK: ADDICTION AND ULYSSES CONTRACTS

by: CHRISOULA ANDREOU

 

ABSTRACT
I examine current models of self-destructive addictive behaviour,
and argue that there is an important place for Ulysses contracts in
coping with addictive behaviour that stems from certain problematic
preference structures. Given the relevant preference structures,
interference based on a Ulysses contract need not involve questionably
favouring an agent’s past preferences over her current preferences,
but can actually be justified in terms of the agent’s current
concerns and commitments.