Personal Identity

Personal identity is essential in the human experience. Identity is complex and can be broken down into two main groups: introspective identity, and bodily identity. Introspective identity is based off of the groups, mentalities, or beliefs that you align yourself with, and bodily identity is based off of the physical side of yourself. Whether physical or introspective, your identity impacts every action you take. Whether choices ranging from what colors you prefer to which college you want to attend are primarily based off of your introspective identity, which is a combination of both memory and consciousness, physical identity impacts how others perceive you. Consciousness is mainly the awareness of bodily identity as well as continuous introspective identify, while memory is awareness of introspective identity. These two different facets of identity are imperative in the distinction between bodily identity and introspective identity. In means of personal identity introspective identity (which is evident in memory), is essential, while bodily identity (based partially in consciousness) has less credit.

I am truly proud of my background and how it has formed my identity. My background consists of me being Portuguese. I could not be any more thankful for how greatly my background has impacted my life into what it is now. It has helped me gain many friends that I am still very close to and gain interests that have started since I was a child. Simply experiencing my family’s numerous customs and traditions is why I love to express that I am Portuguese. It has given me the opportunity to visit Portugal every year during each summer where I fall in love with the country each time. Being Portuguese has taught me many lessons throughout life that I will continue to pass on for future generations of my family.

A personal identity is the concept that is developed about oneself that evolves throughout his or her life. This could include uncontrollable aspects such as skin color, religious beliefs, or race.

It is easy to see oneself as the same person we were ten, twenty, or fifty years ago. We can define identity through our physical presence, life experiences, memories, and mental awareness of self. One can testify our persistence as a person through our existence as a person. But what makes us the same person? In this paper, I will argue for the “simple” view of the persistence of identity – that it is impossible to determine what single thing that makes us the same person over time. I will support my claim with the refutation of the main complex view claims of the body, brain and psychological continuity criterion.

“Discovering and claiming our unique identity is a process of growth, change, renewal, and regeneration throughout our lifetime.” (51) Determining whom we are as a person sounds like an easy thing to do, doesn’t it? But it’s easier said than done. There are multiple factors that play a role on who we are as a person. Some if these factors include the way we were raised, sex, our roots, the people we surround us with, where we were born, etc. Although we can somewhat control what factors molds us into we are, something that is uncontrollable is the perception others have of us. The authors talk about the micro level. This is the level were, “Individuals usually feel the most comfortable as themselves. At this level we define ourselves and structure

Society can not tell you who you are, or who you should be; it can only help guide you to look yourself. I had problems trying to find my place on the social scale. It had been a long time since I had to start fresh in a new environment with new people, I had always been with the same clique of people from pre-k to the eighth grade. I did not know what to do when I was placed into a public high school so before I could shut down and fall into a downward spiral I turned to the one place I once neglected; education. Education became my main objective to keep myself focused instead of worrying about being a loner and trying to make friends. The transition from a private school to a public one was not easy, but it was the learning experience I needed push me to find a self-identity and develop an appreciation for education.

Personal Identity deals with philosophical questions that arise about ourselves by virtue of our being people. Man must have a relation in order to thrive in an abundant communal environment, in this essay I will be talking about identity and purpose, and how my experiences have shaped my identity and shaped my belief on the telos of humanity. The telos is related to my personal beliefs.

I like it. Immersing myself in another culture truly inspires me. While in Fiji, we did just that.

Identities are largely derived from the roles individuals play within society. When I think about my identity as an individual I predominantly think about external factors such as my gender or skin colour. For me, being largely a part of the dominant culture within Australia, I found it increasingly difficult to reflect on what has made me the person I am today.

What describes my identity? This is a question I have rarely been asked, and, it has me thinking, because I belong to a lot of groups. We all belong to multiple groups in my case, I am a college student, Christian, music, African American male, caring for my future, love spending time with family, I love traveling, and I live in the United States of America. Although there are more, these are groups that relate to me and generally relate to others. Different events shape my identity such as when black were not liked to different organizations where a lot of African Americans are successful and looked at differently in a good way whether that is sports or music or any other thing that anyone in the world can be successful in. So I believe a lot of event within my culture and organizations that have people in them that we look up to help shape my identity. I understand the focus was one thing that described me or my identity but I believe that one thing does not shape me or who I am. Just like in History there are multiple events that make up History itself because when you think of History you do not think of just one event that happened.

I have always believed that the true nature of someone can only be found when there is nothing left other than their core. The only things at someone’s core is their heart and their mind. I still can’t speak eloquently, but I talk to my heart’s content. I barely have time for my own interests, yet I help anyone that are asking for help. I will never earn a Nobel Peace Prize, but I know I will always want to learn more and improve myself.

Your personal identity is who you are as a person. You demonstrate parts of your personal identity through what you wear, or how you act towards other people. Some things that are important aspects of your personal identity are your birth order, family dynamics, and just your personality in general. You also demonstrate part of your personality through what you want in the future.

You wait outside; you wait in front of your apartment; you wait with your mom; the yellow bus arrives; you get on with your new, shiny shoes; you take a seat in the front; you look around; you don’t see any familiar faces; you look down; you stare out the window; you look back down; the bus stops; the doors open; the girl gets on; you glance at the girl; you don’t know her either; she looks at you; you look at her; she walks away; you sit quietly as the bus moves slowly; you wait; everyone finally arrives; everyone is in the classroom; everyone looks at the yellow walls, tiny chairs, and colorful crayons; the teacher talks; the teacher sings; the teacher dances; the teacher is too happy; is she always like this?; it’s time to find a partner; you are her partner; she is your partner; you finally see her; you finally see her face; you finally see her bright, brown eyes; they are warm, but there is something mysterious about those eyes; you look at her nose, lips, cheeks, and eyes; they are normal, but her eyes are not; you don’t talk much; she doesn’t talk as much either, but you two still work together; you two help each other; you two help each other on the colors; or was it on multiplication?;

Many ancient philosophers were fascinated with the idea of the personal identity. This is often referred to as the “self”. The “self” is considered to be something that is not physical, therefore the search to discover the “self” is not concrete. With the “self” being something that has no physical element, many philosophers have different opinions on what the “self” is and how it functions. “Someone 's personal identity in this sense consists of those features she takes to “define her as a person” or “make her the person she is” (Eric T. Olson). John Locke was a ancient philosopher who believed that the ‘self” came from memory rather than the body. René Descartes was famous for the phrase, “I think therefore I am”.

Many people question themselves, what is it exactly that makes them unique? What is it that defines them as a unique person that no one in the world possesses? In philosophy, these questions do not have just one answer, and all answers are correct depending on which theory appeals most and makes sense to you. In general, there are two ways people approach this question, some say that a person’s identity is the “self” that carries all of their experiences, thoughts, memories, and consciousness (ego theorists), and some say that a person’s identity is just a bundle of experiences and events that a person has been through in their life, these people deny that the “self” exists (bundle theorists). In this paper, I will be arguing that a person’s identity is just a bundle of experiences, denying the self and the memory criterion.