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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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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2020-11-23T15:44:42.0462967 v2 48282 2019-01-18 Choosing to be changed: Revelation, identity and the ethics of self-transformation 4e2ee88771eac4a88ad1bc294afec919 0000-0001-9696-8654 Paddy McQueen Paddy McQueen true false 2019-01-18 APC 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. Journal Article Ethical Perspectives 24 4 545 568 Identity; L. A. Paul; Rational choicel; Revelation; Self-transformation; Transformative experiences 1 12 2017 2017-12-01 10.2143/EP.24.4.3269042 http://www.ethical-perspectives.be/page.php?FILE=ep_detail&ID=265&TID=2374 COLLEGE NANME Politics, Philosophy and International Relations COLLEGE CODE APC Swansea University 2020-11-23T15:44:42.0462967 2019-01-18T09:54:44.6428745 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Culture and Communication - Politics, Philosophy and International Relations Paddy McQueen 0000-0001-9696-8654 1 0048282-04022019160308.pdf 48282.pdf 2019-02-04T16:03:08.9570000 Output 120485 application/pdf Accepted Manuscript true 2019-02-03T00:00:00.0000000 true eng |
| title |
Choosing to be changed: Revelation, identity and the ethics of self-transformation |
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Choosing to be changed: Revelation, identity and the ethics of self-transformation Paddy McQueen |
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Choosing to be changed: Revelation, identity and the ethics of self-transformation |
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Ethical Perspectives |
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| description |
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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2017-12-01T03:58:39Z |
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11.037603 |