How Is It Possible to Turn Over a New Leaf: Moral Epiphany and the Potential Role of Character Education
Author: Yi-Lin Chen (Department of Education, National Taiwan Normal University)
Vol.&No.：Vol. 71, No. 1
Date：March 2026
Pages：291-318
DOI：https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202603_71(1).0010
Abstract：
Contemporary character education is primarily grounded in Aristotelian virtue ethics, emphasizing the cultivation of appropriate moral habits from an early age. However, it remains largely silent on how moral transformation might occur when this crucial developmental period is missed, resulting in individuals of corrupt character. While Aristotle explicitly acknowledges the possibility of moral reformation, he does not elaborate on how such transformation might take place. Addressing this theoretical gap, neo-Aristotelian scholar Kristján Kristjánsson, drawing inspiration from Platonic ideas, introduces the concept of “moral epiphany” as a potential breakthrough. This concept not only fills a theoretical void but also offers a practical pathway for moral education. Against this backdrop, this study asks: In cases where individuals lack early moral habituation, the guidance of moral friends, or sufficient intellectual virtue for contemplative self-reflection, how can moral epiphany– a moment of profound moral awakening– still occur? This question is particularly relevant to cases of radical moral transformation, including instances of moral reformation among individuals of corrupt character. Accordingly, this study explores the nature of epiphany, its various types and attributes, and how character education might facilitate moral epiphanies.
It is worth addressing in advance why moral epiphany has been largely overlooked in past (character) education research. Although education, as an endeavor aimed at cultivating individuals, inherently involves transformation and becoming, it is typically conceived as a gradual, long-term process– an undertaking that requires patience and persistence, akin to the proverbial “hundred-year project” of nurturing a person. The transformative power of education is generally understood as incremental, akin to water gradually wearing away stone, emphasizing slow and steady change rather than abrupt shifts. In contrast, epiphany represents a sudden, drastic, and often profound transformation, occurring in a moment of radical insight. This stark difference renders epiphany an anomaly in the discourse on education, often leading to its exclusion from mainstream academic discussions on educational transformation.
This research falls within the domain of philosophy of education and employs conceptual analysis to examine the notion of moral epiphany. By analyzing various cases of epiphany, this study identifies its key attributes and elucidates how education might foster such transformative experiences.
Through a comparative analysis of different types of epiphanies– such as intellectual, aesthetic, religious, and moral epiphanies– this paper focuses specifically on moral epiphany. Unlike the paradigmatic case of Paul on the road to Damascus, moral epiphany differs in at least three key respects. First, moral insight gained through epiphany does not guarantee immediate or complete moral transformation. Second, moral epiphany does not necessarily presuppose the existence of a transcendent being, such as a deity or spirit. Third, moral epiphany is inherently connected to ethical values and has the potential to inspire a fundamental shift in one’s mode of being.
Overall, moral epiphany possesses six defining characteristics. First, it is a sudden, immediate, and sometimes even catastrophic turning point. Second, it involves a spontaneous and dramatic awakening, often accompanied by a radical reconfiguration of one’s psychological framework. Third, the events or factors that trigger moral epiphany are typically unplanned or fortuitous. Fourth, moral epiphany is usually accompanied by intense emotional experiences, such as awe or moral elevation. Fifth, it often entails a radical transformation of the self. Sixth, moral epiphany generally leads to positive moral progress rather than moral deterioration– although the latter possibility cannot be entirely dismissed.
In essence, epiphany represents an extraordinary moment of insight that induces a Gestalt shift in one’s cognitive perspective. In the case of moral epiphany, this newfound moral vision is marked by penetrating clarity, allowing the individual to perceive ethical value. This experience is typically accompanied by powerful emotional responses, such as awe or moral elevation, which awaken a deep yearning to embody a new mode of existence. As a catalyst for moral transformation and awakening, moral epiphany, when followed by proper moral re-habituation, has the potential to facilitate radical self-transformation.
This study argues that while educators cannot guarantee the occurrence of epiphany, and while epiphanies alone are insufficient without subsequent habituation, educators can nevertheless create conditions conducive to epiphany. Specifically, they can strategically invoke strong emotional responses, such as awe or moral elevation, to trigger cognitive shifts. Following the Socratic approach, educators may also cultivate moments of confusion or disorientation, disrupting students’ conventional experiences and thereby creating opportunities for epiphany. These transformative experiences, in turn, can lay the groundwork for moral re-habituation, increasing the likelihood of long-term moral growth.
This study posits that the Aristotelian model of character education– centered on moral habituation and the support of moral friends– represents the “royal road” to virtue. However, given its limitations in accounting for real-life cases of moral transformation, this paper explores moral epiphany as an alternative “winding path” to character development. This metaphor underscores two key ideas: first, that this pathway is not a direct or straightforward route; second, that it is not the norm for most individuals, but rather a relatively rare and unconventional experience. Yet, the scarcity of discourse on moral epiphany in educational scholarship may itself be a reason why this pathway remains underexplored and underutilized. This study, therefore, seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of moral epiphany and its potential applications in education.
The significance of this research is twofold. First, it addresses a theoretical gap in Aristotelian character education by proposing moral epiphany as a complementary concept. Second, by analyzing real-life cases of moral transformation, it explores the potential triggers and mechanisms that facilitate epiphanies, offering insights that educators may leverage in practice.
After understanding the attributes of epiphany and its potential applicability in education, future research should further explore concrete pedagogical strategies for fostering moral epiphany in character education. Specifically, scholars may investigate how educators can deliberately create conditions conducive to epiphany cultivation, ensuring that transformative moral insights are not left to chance. This includes designing structured interventions, crafting meaningful learning experiences, and identifying key triggers that facilitate moral awakening. A more in-depth and comprehensive discussion on the systematic implementation of epiphany cultivation in educational practice would significantly enhance both theoretical and practical contributions to character education.
Keywords：turn over a new leaf, character education, habituation, awe, epiphany