Green Templeton Lectures 2014: The Tyranny of the Normal

Is normality – or conformity to certain parameters of behaviour and appearance – a necessary condition of all advanced societies or a tyranny which constrains individual aspiration and social evolution? Do conceptions of normality have any objective basis or are they merely social constructions, inexorably tied to the exercise of political and economic power? These questions have troubled some of the influential minds of the last two centuries but are they still relevant today, as conceptions of normality are challenged by advances in genomics and new technologies of human enhancement? Peter Keen, Director of Sport at Loughborough University, gives a talk for the 2014 Green Templeton College lecture series The traditional narrative of Olympic success emphasises hard work, discipline and sacrifice but above all the unique talents of medal winners. Does this stand up to scrutiny? Peter Keen provides an insider’s synopsis of the life journeys of successful athletes, from which a number of generalisations will be explored concerning the nature of human performance and the apparent need for mastery and autonomy for humans to feel fulfilled.