the ego

Started by poopnoodle October 10th, 2010 5:31 PM
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  • 4 replies
Seen January 4th, 2013
Posted October 21st, 2011
1,804 posts
13.8 Years
was skimming through an interesting article about the development of the ego. how naturally we don't begin self-conscious, we very gradually grasp our individuality via external influences.

He is not aware of who he is. He is simply aware of the mother and what she thinks about him. If she smiles, if she appreciates the child, if she says, "You are beautiful," if she hugs and kisses him, the child feels good about himself. Now an ego is born.

A center.

But this center is a reflected center. It is not his real being. He does not know who he is; he simply knows what others think about him. And this is the ego: the reflection, what others think. If nobody thinks that he is of any use, nobody appreciates him, nobody smiles, then too an ego is born: an ill ego; sad, rejected, like a wound; feeling inferior, worthless. This too is the ego. This too is a reflection.
the concept this article is presenting is that the ego is a phenomenon built by association. say a person never encountered another person...would he form an ego? would complete lack of socializing cause him to behave animalistically; does human development depend on this sense of personal identity?

this article also poses the idea that society manipulates our egos so that we can be efficient members.

If you are immoral, you will always be a misfit somewhere or other. That's why we put criminals in the prisons - not that they have done something wrong, not that by putting them in the prisons we are going to improve them, no. ... They have certain types of egos of which the society doesn't approve. If the society approves, everything is good. ...

Morality is a social politics. It is diplomacy. And each child has to be brought up in such a way that he fits into the society, that's all. Because society is interested in efficient members. Society is not interested that you should attain to self-knowledge.
how do you view morality...is it simply abiding by the ever-evolving regulations that a self-interested society has instilled in our heads from the beginning?
Seen September 18th, 2020
Posted February 18th, 2018
7,741 posts
16.6 Years
While editing a (subsequently deleted) post, I came onto the field of marketing...

The notion that we 'must advance' [in technology use] is silly to me, like having a nice cake but then asking for ice-cream on top, then sprinkles, then a cherry, ad infinitum. The funny part about it is that the person giving the cake is the one effectively making its recipient ask for more by showing them what they could have and somehow instilling that they are inadequate without it. It's the same sort of force that instills into you that having new things is nice; they make you think what you're getting is a new thing, that it is nice.

Reminded me of your thread here. I actually read the article you linked to before but didn't have anything to say then. But now? Sure, I hope...

What I noticed typing the above is that it's true to the notion of external influences making us what we are, or, what we think we are. Maybe it's because I'm rather cynical, but I see this kind of societal influence everywhere, and it all boils down to making persons into functioning, 'normal' parts of society, little points on a much bigger cogwheel. School's a good example of course — one is praised for progress and scolded for refusal to co-operate. I think, to find what one really wants in what they're doing, one only need on occasion to stop and actually think about them; we all do things in our spare time, but I don't suppose many of us dedicate any sort of real 'me time'. The article you linked to suggests the self given by society is a false one, but I'm left to wonder exactly what other self we should have; it never seemed very specific on that point. It's all a very spiritual and noble thing, but without a world and some customs to shape us at all we'd be... lost, or something, most of us at least.
Seen January 4th, 2013
Posted October 21st, 2011
1,804 posts
13.8 Years
I actually read the article you linked to before but didn't have anything to say then. But now? Sure, I hope...
a contribution from Cassino is always a wise one!

What I noticed typing the above is that it's true to the notion of external influences making us what we are, or, what we think we are. Maybe it's because I'm rather cynical, but I see this kind of societal influence everywhere, and it all boils down to making persons into functioning, 'normal' parts of society, little points on a much bigger cogwheel, yet a cogwheel that no one actually owns. School's a good example of course — one is praised for progress and scolded for refusal to co-operate.
i wouldn't call your view cynical, but realistic.

I was also reading earlier the story of someone's asexuality, how they hadn't 'been asexual' until they realised that, in fact, they didn't have to be sexual; it's just a sort of expectation. She'd for a time accepted that "someone would be right for me" or whatever... but, really, never actually felt a want for that for herself. This, again, reflects the notion that society makes the self — people will generally want what they're encouraged to want. I think for most things, to find what one really wants in what they're doing, one only need on occasion to stop and actually think about them. We all do things in our spare time, but I don't suppose many of us dedicate any sort of real 'me time'.
that's a great example, and one i can relate to. guess that's a story for another thread...but i do think that if more people had the mind (or the will) to stop and think about their goals- recognize and look past society's impositions and determine which of their goals stem from genuine desire and which stem from illusions of desire- people would be a lot more real, tolerance would be more prevalent and the ego nurtured in a more positive way.

The article you linked to suggests the self given by society is a false one, but I'm left to wonder exactly what other self we should have; it never seemed very specific on that point. It's all a very spiritual and noble thing, but without a world and some customs to shape us at all we'd be... lost, or something, most of us at least.
we're an adaptive species that relies on structure to develop, i don't imagine humanity would be so "advanced" had we not built on the structure of nature then invented a structural code for man to follow. i don't think a self molded by society is a "false" one, instead i think the self merely...is...if that makes sense. but i do believe that a collective striving for the truth-seeking self is one of the building blocks to a more peaceful, enlightened society.
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Seen June 4th, 2011
Posted February 18th, 2011
105 posts
13 Years
Uh, well I'd say humans (as animals) are natuarally selfish. In some ways, I'd go even to the point of saying, there is no selfless act. Even making friends, there is often a purpose. Again, Man is the Measure. We take Objective truths

There is no truth. Even if there is, we would not know it. (Gorgias)
Have you seen the Matrix? :P

All we know is what others tell us. How do we know we're not in a dream?

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