%0 Journal Article
%T Ethical Selves: A Sketch for a Theory of Relational Authenticity
%A Natalie Fletcher
%J Journal of Philosophy of Life
%D 2013
%I Research Institute for Contemporary Philosophy of Life
%X Philosophers who show interest in authenticity tend to narrowly focus on its capacity to help people evade conformity and affirm individuality, a simplistic reduction that neglects authenticity¡¯s moral potential and gives credence to the many critics who dismiss it as a euphemism for excessive individualism. Yet when conceived relationally, authenticity can also allow for worthy human flourishing without falling prey to conformity¡¯s opposite extreme¡ªegoism. This essay proposes a sketch for a relational conception of authenticity that can help prevent the often-destructive excess of egoism while also offsetting the undesirable deficiency of heteronomy, concertedly moving agents towards socially responsible living.
%U http://www.philosophyoflife.org/jpl201305.pdf