Transformative experiences and choosing when you don't know what you value
By M-Phi
Category: Mind & Ideas › Philosophy
Tags: Philosophy
What do you do when a choice changes your values? I revisit Laurie Paul's epistemically transformative experiences using an adoption example with numerical utilities. I reassess my fine graining reply and show why expected utility and standard rational choice have real trouble here.
Rolly's Take
This blog resonates with those deeply engaged in the philosophical undercurrents of choice and value, especially when life’s most profound experiences hang in the balance. It speaks to individuals who grapple with uncertainty, particularly around transformative moments that shape their identities, such as love or parenthood. If you find yourself pondering how much you truly value something before experiencing it, you'll appreciate the nuanced exploration of epistemic transformation and the dilemmas it presents to rational thought. The prose invites reflection, urging you to consider not just what decisions you make, but how those choices redefine who you are.