Hidden Brain
The Moments that Change Us
Mar 24, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, philosopher L.A. Paul from Yale University dives into how transformative experiences shape our identities. She addresses how pivotal moments, like those in the lives of John Newton and Malcolm X, redefine personal values and perspectives. Paul challenges listeners to reflect on their own life-altering decisions and the gap between who we are and who we might become. The conversation also explores the complexities of advanced directives in medicine, emphasizing the need for adaptability as circumstances change.
51:01
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Decisions are complicated by our failure to recognize that our future selves may have drastically different values and feelings.
- Life-altering experiences can profoundly reshape identity, challenging the perception of a stable self and altering fundamental worldviews.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Decision-Making
When faced with decisions, individuals often focus heavily on potential outcomes, trying to predict how these choices will influence their happiness. People create lists of pros and cons and seek advice from friends in their quest for the best choice. However, a critical aspect frequently overlooked is that our future selves may hold different values and feelings than we do at present. This disconnect complicates the decision-making process, as the person we imagine will exist after the choice may not align with our current self.
