Identity

[Eryk]

Since there are millions of other teachers out there, teacher can´t be part of my identity - by your own criteria.

But if you have your own personal reasons for becoming a teacher, if it was important to you, and if our choices define us as free volitional beings, then being a teacher is part of your identity.

I did not say that uniqueness is the only definition of identity. I wanted to show that uniqueness cannot exist independently, so it is an illusion for someone to think that they have their own identity by being unique. I didn't mean that you claimed this for yourself. I just wanted to share the idea.

 

[quatona]

There is a sense in which identity enables individual distinction; hence identity card.

Yes, picking the most useful definition of the term depends largely on the context and the purpose.

 

[Eryk]

Socrates said that the beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms. It should also be the beginning of message board discussions, if we are going to accomplish anything.

 

[quatona]

But if you have your own personal reasons for becoming a teacher, if it was important to you, and if our choices define us as free volitional beings, then being a teacher is part of your identity.

Now you emphasize all that comes from the internal. Under these premises, I would still be a teacher without students.

I did not say that uniqueness is the only definition of identity.

Ok.

I wanted to show that uniqueness cannot exist independently, so it is an illusion for someone to think that they have their own identity by being unique.

I think it can. If a being existed in the midst of nothing (like e.g. the creator god prior to creation is said to have existed) I would call this being "unique", quite fine.

 

[quatona]

Socrates said that the beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms. It should also be the beginning of message board discussions, if we are going to accomplish anything.

I do not agree with Socrates here. I do fully agree with the second sentence.

 

[WretchedGoat]

How much of your identity would you say comes from the external (culture, community, family, profession) vs. what comes from within you?

Interesting question. Very.

I would say, and this is only my subjective opinion, that very little of my identity comes from outside sources. I've never much cared what other people think of me or how they see me, so I've never been one to follow trends or to do what is popular at the time. When someone asks me the question "what do you do for a living" I simply respond "I work to pay my bills". My identity isn't tied up in my career. Likewise, it's not tied up in my socio-economic status, my clothing, my grooming, my house or possessions, my hobbies, or any one of a number of things it seems a lot of other people place a lot of importance on when they say "I am a [fill in the blank]", or "I do [fill in the blank]".

I'd like to consider myself self-determinant, but maybe my definition of what that means is different than somebody else's. But, being by my very nature a loner, I've always had the benefit of forming my own definition of who or what I am because I have no friends nor family to tell me otherwise.

 

[Eryk]

Now you emphasize all that comes from the internal. Under these premises, I would still be a teacher without students.

Internal and external go together. You would not know what a teacher is without others inventing that job, and you cannot teach without other people wanting to be taught. We cannot make our own choices without other people making theirs.

If a being existed in the midst of nothing (like e.g. the creator god prior to creation is said to have existed) I would call this being "unique", quite fine.

A creator cannot exist in that role without created beings. If it is his nature to create, he always creates by necessity. I'm personally fine with that idea as a theist.

 

[Locutus]

* I think you committed a categorical error when asking that question. "With" implies a mixing of the fries into my meal, whereas since the menu lists them as a side order, you should have asked, "Do you want fries beside that?"

.

that would be me

 

[Locutus]

How much of your identity would you say comes from the external (culture, community, family, profession) vs. what comes from within you?

what comes from within you comes from without you. we're all blank slates.

 

[Locutus]

My identity isn't tied up in my career. Likewise, it's not tied up in my socio-economic status, my clothing, my grooming, my house or possessions, my hobbies, or any one of a number of things it seems a lot of other people place a lot of importance on when they say "I am a [fill in the blank]", or "I do [fill in the blank]".

.

we are entirely our lives. down to the last detail. for good or ill.

 

[Davian]

* I think you committed a categorical error when asking that question. "With" implies a mixing of the fries into my meal, whereas since the menu lists them as a side order, you should have asked, "Do you want fries beside that?"

that would be me

Try that with your spouse. While amusing, be sure to be just out of striking range.

 

[bhsmte]

How much of your identity would you say comes from the external (culture, community, family, profession) vs. what comes from within you?

No way to reasonably know, but a portion comes from each.

 

[Resha Caner]

While I admit to being war-weary, I didn't accuse you of error. I merely say the question is one of the very difficult ones. At least for me anyway.

But I guess if it were easy you wouldn't have asked it.

A gracious reply to my comments.

 

[Resha Caner]

It's both, in different ways.

I see your general point, but it seems you're speaking abstractly. What about you and your identity (rather than challenging quatona about his)?

 

[Resha Caner]

When the keyterm isn´t defined I am going to define it as I see fit. It´s that simple.

I'm OK with that. In fact I prefer it for this question.

So, can you give an example of what comes from within that makes up at least part of your identity?

 

[Resha Caner]

Cool. But the question was not "by what would Chesterton identify you?". It was "how much of your identity would you say...?".

You are again correct. Yet I find the distinction you and Chesterton are making interesting.

 

[Resha Caner]

Interesting question. Very.

I would say, and this is only my subjective opinion, that very little of my identity comes from outside sources. I've never much cared what other people think of me or how they see me, so I've never been one to follow trends or to do what is popular at the time. When someone asks me the question "what do you do for a living" I simply respond "I work to pay my bills". My identity isn't tied up in my career. Likewise, it's not tied up in my socio-economic status, my clothing, my grooming, my house or possessions, my hobbies, or any one of a number of things it seems a lot of other people place a lot of importance on when they say "I am a [fill in the blank]", or "I do [fill in the blank]".

I'd like to consider myself self-determinant, but maybe my definition of what that means is different than somebody else's. But, being by my very nature a loner, I've always had the benefit of forming my own definition of who or what I am because I have no friends nor family to tell me otherwise.

OK. Boiling it all down, what I read from this is that you are a loner. Is there more to it, or does that sum up your identity?

 

[Resha Caner]

that would be me

I once worked in the fast food industry. It's people like you who (partly) inspired me to get a professional degree.

what comes from within you comes from without you. we're all blank slates.

So you're a tabula rasa guy?

 

[durangodawood]

Your identity comes largely from your past life. Duh.

 

[WretchedGoat]

OK. Boiling it all down, what I read from this is that you are a loner. Is there more to it, or does that sum up your identity?

There is much more to it, but that's for you to try and read into it. I wrote exactly what I meant to write. Nothing hidden; nothing veiled. If you don't understand it, that's on you, not me. I'm not in the habit of repeating myself to anyone.