Musing on identity

[netmouse]

From Master and Commander, by Mr. O'Brian,

   'Identity?' said Jack, comfortably pouring out more coffee. 'Is not identity something you are born with?'
   'The identity I am thinking of is something that hovers between a man and the rest of the world: a mid-point between his view of himself and theirs of him - for each, of course, affects the other continually. A reciprocal fluxion, sir. There is nothing absolute about this identity of mine.'

This seems rather sympathetic to my own experience.
Your thoughts?

Comments

[sraun]

Something that has, IMAO, some bearing on the question. I'm quoting Aral Vorkosigan, talking to Miles, A Civil Campaign, Chapter 15:

Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.

I think there may be a similar distinction to be drawn for identity - you have the portions of your identity that are internally you, and the portions that are related to your interactions with the outside world. Unfortunately, I'm not certain what to call the two facets. Public identity and private identity don't quite work.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

oh, very relevant, thanks!

The concept and process of self-knowledge are two things I'm working very hard on right now. Honor is indeed internal, and yet we tend to define our own understanding of that based on past or potential future impacts of our judgments and character - on others as well as ourselves - do we not?

At least, I am mindful of the fact that with all honorable intentions, ignorance and lack of consideration especially may lead one to do something that must cause re-examination of one's inner stance and bearing.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

(else we do not grow)