3 ms·

For many, ideas are a part of identity. I am a good person because I support good policies and vote for good party. I am smart because I have intelligent though

by blix 7y ago

For many, ideas are a part of identity. I am a good person because I support good policies and vote for good party. I am smart because I have intelligent thoughts and ideas. When the quality of these ideas is challenged, it therefore can be a challenge to the quality of the person holding them, if they base their identity on their thoughts. I find this is quite common. Another effect of this mindset is that changing your mind becomes more difficult. It's a hard thing to get out of.

pbhjpbhj 7y ago
Are there people who have a [strong] sense of identity that's somehow not centred around their ideas? I'm trying to imagine what that looks like? Maybe "it doesn't matter what I think, I'm $Nationality and that's who I am"? [But does anyone think like that? And isn't that just an idea that informs identity?]
- duhgafdt 7y ago
  It is not the great taste of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which you enjoy, it is the idea that 'pb&j tastes great' which informs your enjoyment of it.
- blix 7y ago
  In earlier times, identity was mostly a function of social relationships. This seemed to be a lot more concrete than abstract concept of identity that is popular in industrial societies. Here are some other things that might inform/create identity besides political opinions shared on twitter: race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, occupation, consumption preferences, skills, activities, appearance. All of these are ideas to some degree, but some are more concrete than others. But ultimately, identity itself is an idea and I don't think it can be fully separated from other constructs of the mind.
  - im3w1l 7y ago
    If you ask me about my identity the first thing that comes to my mind is the life I've lived. The things I got to experience, my failures, my accomplishments, the choices I made.

3 ms·

For many, ideas are a part of identity. I am a good person because I support good policies and vote for good party. I am smart because I have intelligent though

by blix 7y ago

pbhjpbhj 7y ago
Are there people who have a [strong] sense of identity that's somehow not centred around their ideas? I'm trying to imagine what that looks like? Maybe "it doesn't matter what I think, I'm $Nationality and that's who I am"? [But does anyone think like that? And isn't that just an idea that informs identity?]
- duhgafdt 7y ago
  It is not the great taste of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches which you enjoy, it is the idea that 'pb&j tastes great' which informs your enjoyment of it.
- blix 7y ago
  In earlier times, identity was mostly a function of social relationships. This seemed to be a lot more concrete than abstract concept of identity that is popular in industrial societies. Here are some other things that might inform/create identity besides political opinions shared on twitter: race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, occupation, consumption preferences, skills, activities, appearance. All of these are ideas to some degree, but some are more concrete than others. But ultimately, identity itself is an idea and I don't think it can be fully separated from other constructs of the mind.
  - im3w1l 7y ago
    If you ask me about my identity the first thing that comes to my mind is the life I've lived. The things I got to experience, my failures, my accomplishments, the choices I made.