Hindsight

Although the idea of hindsight is frequently associated with the biases distortions and outright lies of memory--as in the infamous 20-20 scenario or the conviction that one knew it all along--Mark Freeman maintains that this process of looking backward over the terrain of the past can also serve as a profound source of insight understanding and self-knowledge. Consider Tolstoy''s harrowing tale of Ivan Ilych revisiting his past on the eve of his death only to realize that the life he had been living was a lie. Consider as well the many times in our own lives when upon reviewing the past we are able to see what we could not or would not see earlier on. Hindsight is also intimately connected to what Freeman calls narrative reflection: Through the distance conferred by time we can look back on past experiences and see them anew as episodes in an evolving story. As important as being in the now and living in the moment are it is no less important to pause at times and by looking backward seek to discern those aspects of experience that might otherwise escape our notice. Far from necessarily leading to deception and lies therefore hindsight can lead to wisdom and indeed truth--of a sort Freeman contends that is only available in retrospect. In addition to serving as a central site of self-knowledge hindsight plays an integral role in the process of moral growth. For through hindsight there emerges the opportunity not only to see the possible errors of our ways but to transcend them and thereby to move on to better ways of being in the world. Drawing on psychology philosophy literature and personal experience this wide-ranging volume offers an insightful and engaging exploration of the role of hindsight both in discerning the personal past and in deepening moral life.