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Choosing to be changed: Revelation, identity and the ethics of self-transformation
Paddy McQueen 
Ethical Perspectives, Volume: 24, Issue: 4, Pages: 545 - 568
Swansea University Author:
Paddy McQueen
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DOI (Published version): 10.2143/EP.24.4.3269042
Abstract
This paper examines the issue of deciding to change who one is. It focuses on Paul’s recent discussion of “transformative experiences”. Paul claims that, in order to make a rational decision to undergo a transformative experience, one should base one’s decision on “revelation”, i.e. to discover what...
| Published in: | Ethical Perspectives |
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| Published: |
2017
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| Online Access: |
http://www.ethical-perspectives.be/page.php?FILE=ep_detail&ID=265&TID=2374 |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48282 |
| Abstract: |
This paper examines the issue of deciding to change who one is. It focuses on Paul’s recent discussion of “transformative experiences”. Paul claims that, in order to make a rational decision to undergo a transformative experience, one should base one’s decision on “revelation”, i.e. to discover what the experience will be like. If this solution is treated as the only means by which a transformative choice is made, then I argue that it is problematic. I offer two reasons why: (1) it overlooks or misconstrues the role that one’s practical identity should play when deciding to make a major life-decision; and (2) it ignores morally-relevant reasons for action. Even if we retain Paul’s revelation approach as only a part of the method by which a transformative choice is made, then I argue that the value of revelation should often count for little in our decision-making. Rather than focusing on the subjective quality of future experiences, it is often preferable to reflect on who one is and what one’s endorsed practical identity commits one to doing. |
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| Keywords: |
Identity; L. A. Paul; Rational choicel; Revelation; Self-transformation; Transformative experiences |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Issue: |
4 |
| Start Page: |
545 |
| End Page: |
568 |