Epiphanies

When psychologists contemplate the nature of §personal change they usually refer to two broad §areas, the developmental changes that occur over the §lifespan and more specific changes that are effected §through counselling and psychotherapy. In both cases §change occurs in a slow incremental process, lasting §anywhere from a period of weeks, months or years. §However, some types of personal change and §transformation are radical in their suddenness and §potential for permanent transformation. Academic §psychologist Matthew McDonald illuminates the nature §of positive change that is sudden and abrupt by §exploring the concept of epiphany, re-defining it in §light of current and historical perspectives and §then applying it to the life stories of five §individuals. McDonald turns to existential §philosophy and psychology to interpret their §experiences, providing a description that emphasises §personal meaning and the essential realities of the §human condition. From this study readers will be §able to reflect on their own lives by gaining a §better understanding of the human struggle with §freedom, responsibility, meaning, anxiety and death.