Narrative Identity, Autonomy, and Mortality

John Davenport is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University. He teaches and writes on ethics and moral psychology and agency (including free will and autonomy theory), existentialism, political philosophy (including rights and global governance), and philosophy of religion. With Anthony Rudd, he co-edited the 2001 collection, Kierkegaard After MacIntyre, and he has authored several other essays on Kierkegaard, including three recent articles on the structure of existential faith.

• 1. Introduction: Autonomy, Practical Identity, Self, and Character  2. Narrative Realism about Practical Identity  3. Narrative Unity, Autonomy, and Kierkegaard's Aesthetic-Ethical Distinction  4. Kierkegaardian Wholeheartedness: Purity of Heart versus Doublemindedness  5. Selves in Time before Death: Kierkegaardian Religious Narrative Unity

"The account of narrative practical identity presented in this book is nuanced, sophisticated, and answers many of the objections given to specific versions elsewhere. Although it leaves room for further development, it provides an excellent base upon which to build. It also provides a powerful perspective from which to read Kierkegaard's notions of existential stages, double-mindedness, patience, infinite resignation, and purity of heart." – William McDonald, University of New England, Australia in Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews