The “Vanishing Self”: Understanding Consciousness-Raising as a Transformative Experience
Canadian Journal of Philosophy June 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/can.2026.10066 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness-raising is a transformative experience that changes who we are, and that this personal transformation is required for gaining access to previously inaccessible knowledge, given standpoint epistemology's claim that knowledge is sensitive to identity. |
Abstract
Despite the centrality of the achievement thesis within standpoint epistemology, thereare gaps in the literature on the epistemic significance of consciousness-raising and itsrole in providing access to knowledge that was previously inaccessible. To addressthese gaps, I argue that consciousness-raising is a transformative experience, one thatmakes us a different person. If, as the standpoint epistemologist suggests, what weknow is sensitive to facts about who we are, then to change what we know we mustchange who we are.