John Kekes is the author of many books, including The Roots of Evil, The Illusions of Egalitarianism, and The Art of Life, all from Cornell.

The Enlargement of Life develops an elaborate account, using detailed case studies, of how people can change (or fail to change) what they are like. It presents this life-changing enterprise as principally cognitive in nature. One needs to understand strengths and weaknesses of what one has been, and also to understand the possibilities of change. 'Exploratory' and 'corrective' imagination play a major role, although Kekes argues that the imagination needs to be disciplined for the process to work. He also argues that there are moral constraints, related to personal responsibility, on what can qualify as acceptable change.(Mind) There is a great deal that is interesting and provocative in Kekes's criticism of the voluntarist ideal of the good life, and his proposed alternative is developed with care. There is much to disagree with in this book, too, but certainly much to admire in Kekes's characteristically bold and engaging style.(Philosophical Quarterly)

John Kekes is the author of many books, including The Roots of Evil, The Illusions of Egalitarianism, and The Art of Life, all from Cornell.

The Enlargement of Life develops an elaborate account, using detailed case studies, of how people can change (or fail to change) what they are like. It presents this life-changing enterprise as principally cognitive in nature. One needs to understand strengths and weaknesses of what one has been, and also to understand the possibilities of change. 'Exploratory' and 'corrective' imagination play a major role, although Kekes argues that the imagination needs to be disciplined for the process to work. He also argues that there are moral constraints, related to personal responsibility, on what can qualify as acceptable change.(Mind) There is a great deal that is interesting and provocative in Kekes's criticism of the voluntarist ideal of the good life, and his proposed alternative is developed with care. There is much to disagree with in this book, too, but certainly much to admire in Kekes's characteristically bold and engaging style.(Philosophical Quarterly)