Surname 2
unrecognized emotions and suppressed urges. Using Pierpont for illustration, the urges he
restricted most are his sexual attraction towards men. Therefore, this is who he truly was. The
third way the author answers this question is by conducting a study involving 200 participants
(Knobe). Some participants are liberal while others are conservatives. In this study, the
participants answer questions meant to determine if there is a connection between one’s true self
and his/her judgment and values.
The author defends the question by incorporating reliable evidence in his article. He starts
by explaining the case of Mark Pierpont and his contribution to the “cure” for gay people while
he himself was homosexual (Knobe). The author points out that in his interaction with gay
people, Pierpont had to suppress his sexual urges. In a way, he was keeping his true self in hiding
while portraying the self that is acceptable in the society. Knobe also defends the question by
tabling the perspective of philosophers on the issue (Knobe). Lastly, the author defends the
question by pointing out that even though he and his colleagues carried out a study, it would be
wrong to draw any substantial conclusion based on the results of just one study. Since there is no
straightforward answer on whom a person’s true self is, there is need to carry out more
researches.
Conclusively, after reading the article, it is my opinion that the author’s argument is reasonable
and justifiable. Knobe puts forward a strong argument which is supported by evidence from
other philosophers and people. The article opens up the reader’s mind as to whom the true self of
a person really is. While all the arguments put forward by the author hold water, it is evident that
there is no straightforward answer as to whom a person’s true self really is. The studies that have
been conducted so far conflict on this, and perhaps the only way to get an answer is by carrying
out more studies.
