Thinking back on my post on identity I realized that there are certain facets of identity that deserve some additional thought. Therefore, I figured I would follow up on the post in a roundabout way by looking at the ways in which we perceive ourselves.
Who are we? Who do we think we are or want to be? Who do we desire to be? These questions are all at least vaguely related. All may have different or similar answers depending on who asks and who answers them. In truth, my own analysis of this subject will undoubtedly be biased to some degree. My intention in covering this topic is merely to illuminate the discussion somewhat and to inspire further thought along these lines.
Who are we? Most people can answer this question simply by reciting many simple truths committed to memory since early childhood. These are, for example, our names, where we are from, who our parents are, what gender we are, how intelligent we are, and any other myriad facts about ourselves. However, the true and deeper answer to this question is much more complicated than it appears at first glance. To really determine who one is, one must look at oneself from an almost outsider perspective. Removing ones own emotions and doubts from the equation makes it easier to make an honest assessment of ourselves. There are probably few people, if any, who can truly do this. Many can be fairly objective. Thus, the question of who one is entails some thought about how the person perveives themself and how others perceive the person in question. Somehow, this must be done objectively and fairly. (On a sidenote, for that reason it is often far easier to analyze others rather than yourself.)
The argument requires that the question of who we think we are is addressed. This deals explicitly with ones perception of oneself. Therefore, we must exclude the opinions of others in this facet of the argument. The concept is fairly straightforward: Each and every one of us has an innate self-perception concerning who we identify ourselves as. It goes without saying, but this is the automatic response when someone asks the question, "Who are you?"
Who we desire to be is a concept that should be approached with some caution. The very answer itself may change repeatedly as we are beings who are constantly changing and evolving in our own unique ways. Everyone knows that no one is perfect and, for that reason, no one is perfectly happy with themselves whether it stems from body image or broader self-image issues. There is always (or should always be in balanced people) a desire to improve and become better with each passing event. Getting into specifics here would be foolhardy as there are simply too many factors to consider, each governed by our own whims and desires.
Suffice to say, all of these concepts are far more complex than the initial questions concerning them appear to be. There are factors as complex as the human brain itself and to fully understand them would require an intrinsic knowledge of how the human brain works which is not yet possible. For this reason, I have sought to introduce the concepts and stir up thoughts about them and how they relate to us. Identity continues to be deeper than first imagined. The questions of who we are, who we think we are, and who we want to be can only be answered by the individual themself. It is a concept that many people take for granted and should not; identity is important and is not something that should be dismissed as a constant and a given. People need to be aware of their own fluidity and of the fluidity of many things taken for granted as constants.
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