Steinar Bøyum (University of Bergen)
Is education transformative?

It is sometimes said that education is transformative, but what this means is often unclear. L.A. Paul has recently provided a more precise account. In her book «Transformative Experience», she argues that major life-events challenge traditional decision-making models because they involve transformative experiences, in the face of which it seems impossible to combine rationality and authenticity. One of her examples is that of choosing a career. In subsequent work, Paul further expands on this idea and claim that higher education is a transformative experience. The purpose of this talk is to critically evaluate Paul’s thesis on the transformative nature of higher education.

Steinar Bøyum is Head of Department at the Department of Philosophy, University of Bergen, Norway. He also holds a position as professor II at the Centre for the Study of Professions, Oslo Metropolitan University. Prior to joining the philosophy department he was a professor of education at the University of Bergen. He works now mainly in the moral and political philosophy of education, but also has a background in Wittgenstein studies.