Nietzsche and secular existentialists argue that the self is constituted by its history, so 'beginning anew' via forgiveness may produce self-deception rather than authentic transformation.

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Authentic transformation(contrasted with self-deception as the desired alternative): Real, genuine change in who you are as a person—as opposed to just pretending or superficially changing your behavior while staying the same inside.
Existentialism(describing the broader philosophical tradition being discussed): A philosophical movement that emphasizes that people are free to make choices and create their own meaning in life, rather than having a predetermined purpose or essence.
Nietzsche: Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher who challenged traditional Western values and argued that people should create their own meaning in life rather than blindly following religion or societal rules. He's famous for ideas like "God is dead" (meaning traditional religion no longer guides modern society) and the concept of the "Übermensch"—an ideal person who overcomes limitations and creates their own values. His work profoundly influenced modern philosophy, psychology, and culture, though his ideas were sometimes misused by others to justify harmful ideologies.
Secular existentialists

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