b. 1944
George Ainslie is an American psychiatrist and behavioral economist known for his pioneering work on hyperbolic discounting and picoeconomics, the study of intertemporal bargaining within the self. His research bridges psychology, philosophy, and economics to explain why individuals make inconsistent choices over time and how willpower emerges from competing internal interests.
Developed the theory of hyperbolic discounting to explain preference reversal
Founded picoeconomics, analyzing the self as a population of competing interests
Authored 'Picoeconomics' (1992) and 'Breakdown of Will' (2001)
Advanced intertemporal bargaining as a model of self-control
Applied game-theoretic reasoning to addiction and akrasia