Is it possible to be an
Authentic Self, or do we necessarily define ourself through the world contingently?
Stated otherwise: under which circumanstances (how) can
'a Self' not be
'an Other'?
Discuss.
When we use our individual thought about any information or event that we perceive and take in, we are acting from the authentic self and develop our own individuality.
Most people absorb what others subject them to, without allowing their own experience and critical thinking to dictate with their own volition what may or may not be true; to exercise their own reasoning and scrutinize their own perceptions and experiences. They act from the group mind, in which they merge, become a percentage of the group and lose their individual thought and choice to come to their own conclusions. it is easy, but poverty of mind.
They are influenced by the mob, they are on an easy ride but they lose a lot of creativity in their thinking.They are the stereotypes that fit everything and everyone in the box.
The self does not individuate under such circumstances, they rely on the influence of others, it is quick but very inacurate and lacks choice.
They are merged in others-and can easily be manipulated by others this way, unless they individuate.
When young, we first take in to ourself-others-we create our object world where we form through; we act as they did by mirroring, then we individuate from them to form the personal self.
The authetic self, is the inner core part of the self, I believe the others are speaking of the higher self?
As in the spiritual context...transformation of the ego and through the authentic self to a higher lever. I see the inner, truer, authentic self having a spiritual base, yet one may need to go through it into a higher transendance of losing all boundaries, in a form of one with the universial consciousness-as in a god consciousness.
To be authentic is to be open and speak your truth, not from the persona we like to present, to connect trully with others, and be able to be who we are so we learn from each other and enrich one another.
I am uncertain if I understood your question fully, only you can tell if I did.