Can/Do People Change?

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I haven't ruled it out, but from my experience I answer in the negative. In particular I have never known a liar, a thief, or a slacker who changed for the better, but I have also known reasonable people who couldn't change despite promises and - I believe - sincere efforts (think girlfriends/boyfriends). Who is the contemporary philosopher of science who theorised about 'webs of belief' - Kuhn? Whoever it is, he argues that people can rationalise or spin all data to fit their pre-existing worldview. According to this, there is at least a very strong tendency for people to stay the same. Have you ever known anyone who really changed? If so, what brought it on? Was it slow, or sudden? Any other thoughts? Hope this is the right forum.