Questioning self
Becky Erickson (R1RJE@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU)
Wed, 17 Jan 96 13:39:42 EST
Hello all. I've recently been rereading Ralph Turner's mid-1970s work on self
and identity. In doing so, a series of questions have come to mind that I
thought some of you might be willing to dialogue about. Turner writes that in
1975 the "quest for self-discovery" has come to be taken for granted in
philosophical, literary, scientific and therapeutic discussions of modern life.
He characterizes people as trying to "find themselves," troubled with the loss
of identity and, subsequently, engaging in an incessant search to relocate it.
In 1976 (when it seems people, including Turner, "found" it again) self was
characterized as being rooted in the satisfaction of and indulgence in one's
"impulses" rather than in the norms/roles of "institutions."
My questions are these: If you were asked to state your position to
non-academics regarding the "state of the self" in 1996, what would you say?
Also, what sources (preferably popular press but also academic) would you
cite as the basis for your description? And finally, even if one assumes that
by talking about the self one is NOT referring to a unified, autonomous,
consistent concept/entity, is asking about how to characterize "self"
of any use or interest anymore?
Just some things I've been wondering about and thought they might provoke some
discussion. Thanks for reading.
Becky Erickson
University of Akron
r1rje@vm1.cc.uakron.edu