Exploring Personhood and Neoliberalism: An Interview with Jeff Sugarman

March 20, 2025 - 14:21

In a thought-provoking discussion, Tim Beck engages with psychologist Jeff Sugarman to delve into the intricate relationship between personhood and the pervasive influence of neoliberalism on mental health. Sugarman emphasizes that the current psychological landscape is heavily shaped by neoliberal ideologies, which prioritize individualism and market-driven principles over collective well-being. This shift has profound implications for how we understand personhood and the psychological challenges individuals face today.

Sugarman argues that conventional psychological approaches often neglect the philosophical underpinnings of personhood, leading to a fragmented understanding of mental health issues. He advocates for a more holistic and philosophically informed approach to psychology, one that recognizes the social and economic contexts in which individuals exist. By reexamining the foundations of psychological theory, Sugarman believes that practitioners can better address the complexities of human experience in a neoliberal society.

The conversation highlights the urgent need for a critical psychology that challenges dominant paradigms and promotes a deeper understanding of the self in relation to broader social structures.