ABSTRACT
Professional identities are authentic in that they are rooted in both self-regard and regard for other individuals and communities; they are attentive to their environment and thus are oriented toward a common good. As Sullivan suggests, the goal of self-actualization itself must be transcended, or perhaps, reoriented by integrating individual goals with those of the larger community. Professional identities are authentic in that they are informed by the ideals of civic and democratic purpose and social justice. Professional identities are authentic in yet another way: they are actually enacted. This can be achieved by supporting the ideals of a decent profession and society, which arrived at through reason and deliberation, by means of appropriate political emotions. The British philosopher of higher education Ron Barnett argued that a distinguishing feature of higher education is precisely that it is meant to be transformative; it is not meant to be a comfortable, cosy experience that reinforces pre-existing assumptions in students.
