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The Role of Others in the Formation of the Self Essay

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To many, it may seem others play an important role in the formation of self. When we interact with others, make comparisons with others and live out our social roles we seem to be affected – so we assume that so is the formation of our “self”. In reality, it isn’t affected. With an idealist view of a non-physical self, that also possesses continuity and unity it can be exposed how flawed this view of self is, and how others play no role whatsoever in the formation of the self. However, our sensory knowledge which is deceptive, leads us to believe in an incorrect view of self, causing the illusion of the importance of the role of others in the formation of the self.
Initially, we must realise our view of self may be mistaken, so before …show more content…

Dualists, such as Descartes have presented fairly weak responses to the problem, who stated that the casual interaction takes place in a physical gland in the brain.
Hence, most plausible is idealism, which presents a purely non-physical self, and outlines how the so-called “real-world” is inseparable from our mind and its perceptions, and we are simply deluded to believe that it is the ultimate reality on its own. Just as when we are sub-conscious or in a dream, what we experience seems to exist and is real – only until our awakening into a conscious state do we realise it is not. For the only difference between experiencing a “dream” and “worldly reality” is our doubt of events that may occur (we know we cannot fly in reality but may accept we can in a dream). Similarly, it is our ignorance and false perception that leads us to believe in the world as the ultimate reality. Only if we reach a “super conscious” state that is, to unite with our true self – the ultimate reality, can we understand the fallacy of our perceptions about the world. But an idealist view of a non-physical self is not enough to answer the problem. For, it could be our ego, or the mind but we must realize the self is deeper than this. The “Self” is not only deep and immaterial, but an absolute, eternal and indestructible entity that is the pure consciousness and ultimate reality - free from illusion and false

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