We are not just ourselves.

[Wren Sison]

Hi,

 

So I've been thinking about this for quite awhile now.

 

We are not just ourselves. I am not just me. 

 

Instead, we're formed and shaped by the experiences, people, and places outside ourselves...

In other words, each and everyone of us is an individual mosaic of bits & pieces of moments and encounters we've had in the past, present, and will have in the future. Can we be true individuals on the inside? A person that is formed, shaped, growing by themselves? In my opinion, no. 

 

For example, can a revolution really happen on its own? Within a country, if oppressed people have been isolated for years and years, with no outside contact--how can there be a revolution, a change? They have never done anything differently. The answer: There will be none. The revolution is started by a spark from an outside source, whether it be a personal encounter with someone outside or something unknown. In the same way, how can any of us, as individual human beings, just BECOME who we are by ourselves? The answer? We can't. The only thing we actually do is piece together our personal encounters, our gained knowledge, our memories and come up with who we are now. 

 

And who we are now is constantly changing because of what happens around us, because of who we encounter and meet, because of what we witness and what we make happen.

 

Overall, each of us is a masterpiece in the making.

 

~bye now,

Wren

 

P.S.

I was feeling philosophical.  So what are your thoughts? Are we truly individuals or pieced together? Or just say hi. :D

[Olivia Turner]

What a lovely and thought-provoking blog post, Wren :)

I often contemplate the nature of the self and identity. I think we as Nerdfighters are individuals because we perhaps come from certain cultural and societal backgrounds that allow us to explore in greater depth our own personal "meaning". We are not restricted by "ignorance" or censorship and so can discuss and debate various philosophical ideas and principles without risk of repercussions. That is not to say, people from more restrictive cultures cannot have a positive or solid sense of themselves, but simply that there are a lot of pressures in the world that aim to discourage individualism and promote more commitment or responsibility to the family or society from which they come from. This is not altogether a bad idea. In fact, it has its own merits and highlights the importance of group cohesion.

We are definitely a construct of both our nature and our nurture. To deny society's role would be reductive. Some people therefore, know themselves, but cannot fully explore the wonderful and complex character of identity, because of oppressive forces etc.

I really like the idea that we are all each other. We all have obligations to one another, as citizens of the planet. Sadly, this idea is not necessarily in practice. But if we all throw ourselves into life, with the intention of learning and understanding, then it can't be a total waste can it?

We can bounce off one another. Friendships and relationships may not necessarily shape a person, but rather reveal and open up certain things about a person. I like to think we're all trying to be the best possible version of ourselves, and an evolved and free-thinking society enables this to happen.

[PS. Reading my comment back, it is utter brain vomit. Apologies!]

Evey Hammond- "He was my father. And my mother, my brother, my friend. He was you, and me. He was all of us". V for Vendetta

[Jan K.]

Haha, yeah, I also believe in determinism (albeit in a "harder" way). I just find it strange to think about determinism... I am after all, according to (hard) determinism, determined to think about determinism and to write this.

[Sunmuffin]

I was reading some Locke the other day, I thought just his and disagreed with his concept of continued consciousness through time. Another aspect to this is one's product; what is it? Where is it found? I would love to hear (see?) your input, but I will spare you mine because I am tired and don't want to type.

[Matthew John Palka]

Hey, fantastic post. I've felt philosophical lately too. 

I think we are both, but what truly shapes our BEING is our own character. Paradox. I love blogs posts like this and Nerdfighteria because they welcome discussion of things peacefully. This is a classic question of individual vs societal influences in defining identity. I ask myself, "who am I?" all the time. I am not shunning or offending anyone, please, just spilling thoughts. Whether not this is offensive it up to you. Please don't look at it as an attack. Feel free to disagree or agree and discuss. That's the difficulty of philosophy. Gray areas.

Personally, I think each of us is unique and our own individual You and only you are born into this world to be YOU, no matter what happens around you. You know how people have talents and somehow they automatically just DO WHAT THEY DO extremely well? Sometimes they don't even know how they got into it. They just did.

Of course, I would not be the person I am today without my opportunities, circumstances, and people that helped or hurt me. The environment does shape who I am. But does the environment ultimately decide who I am? NO. You are responsible for letting the environment influence you or not. No one can control your mind and thoughts. NEVER. But can I truly be anyone else that I want to be instead of myself? NO. No matter who I try to pretend to be, I am always who I truly am on the inside. I can't hide myself from myself. That's just a part of life. You are who you are.

I think a revolution can happen on its own. Why? Because it starts with someone taking action. Someone willing to speak up on what they believe is right. Someone that has an IDEA. Then...it spreads. True, revolutions are sparked by outside sources and experiences often. But what caused the revolution? The person CHOOSING TO BE INFLUENCED (or not) and ACTING on that influence can start the revolution. That influence can come from the outside or inside, but the person chooses to RESPOND. You want to change your life? YOU must make the choice. Not one person can change who you truly are, but can only inspire you to change for yourself.

I agree that we are constantly changing each day. Events that are uncontrollable in our lives are changing circumstances. But who truly has the choice to change? EACH OF US MAKES THE CHOICE. 

I agree that each of us is a masterpiece in the making, but how we are made is our responsibility. Ultimately, you will choose something. Whether it's to ignore being responsible for your actions or to take responsibility. When you choose not to decide you still have made a choice. You either drive your own life, or live drives you. Either way, you choose, and that's where the TRUE CHARACTER of each individual shines.That's philosophy, right? Philosophy of self-leadership.

We all must live, but is there really a correct way to live life? Nope.