Introduction

In Chapter 9, I argued that a true, legitimate transformation process implies transformation at two reciprocal levels or dimensions, which I called the infrastructural and the superstructural level. The superstructure refers to the political sphere, and this dimension of transformation is evident in external, structural changes in society. Conversely, the infrastructure refers to the personal sphere, implying the pre-political dispositions, relations and so forth of the individual. At the core of the infrastructure are individuals’ needs and happiness, their relationships and their ideas about life and development. At the core of infrastructural transformation are the conversions pertaining to these aspects and in Part 2, I tried to illustrate the complex array and intensity of these profound, personal conversions. I also argued that the infrastructure is more fundamental to social transformation than the superstructure, because to a large extent, the legitimacy and maintenance of the superstructure depends on the infrastructure. This does not mean, however, that the infrastructure precedes the superstructure, or vice versa. These two dimensions have a mutual, reciprocal influence on one another.

My personal conversions at infrastructural level did not happen voluntarily and unaided, but were fundamentally generated and shaped by my social interaction and relationships with other people. This confirms a fundamental aspect of Nussbaum's theory, namely, that society influences and shapes an individual's emotional life. Furthermore, my infrastructural transformation was also reinforced by certain (albeit small-scale at that stage), external, superstructural changes in society. One can therefore argue that although infrastructural transformation is primarily concerned with the ‘development and character of the particular individual’, it is constituted, in large part, in relationships with others – and affected by changes pertaining to superstructural aspects.

The analysis of my own infrastructural transformation also revealed that this dimension of transformation primarily involves emotional transformation.