With the word "identity" you could mean either
a. The freedom to be who you are; or
b. The freedom to choose who you are.
In either case it is a matter of enabling conditions. If you are the kind
of person that likes to spend time on the internet, then your freedom to be
that kind of person would depend on conditions such as internet access.
Similarly, (and I'm not sure that this is possible) if you are concerned
with the freedom to choose to be a kinder sort of person, then the freedom
to make that choice would turn on conditions such are your willingness to
engage in introspection and otherwise examine your motives or behavior. Our
choices always establish who we are, in a representative sense, in every
circumstance. (see Viktor Frankl) "Freedom" qualifies "choice".
In The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value is Remaking
Commerce, Culture and Consciousness. by Virginia Postrel she says,
"Identity is the meaning of surface. Before we say anything with words, we
declare ourselves through look and feel: "Here I am. I'm like this. I'm not
like that. I associate with these others. I don't associate with those." .
"Aesthetic identity is both personal and social, an expression both of who
we are and with whom we want, or expect, to be grouped."
For Postrel their is a quick step between "I like Louis Vuitton luggage." to
"I am like the people who carry Louis Vuitton luggage." to "I am the person
that carries Louis Vuitton luggage." Whether freedom vis-a-vis identify is
seen related to self-image or self-expression it is dependant upon the
enabling conditions.
As to self-rule -
Even if I were to accept the idea that we have one enduring self, Priorities
or Values seem to me to be in a constant state of flux and opposition. I
think a good argument can be made that people always act in accordance with
their own values or priorities. In this sense, "self rule" is more or less
an empty notion.
The suggestion that you ought to be able to make decisions regardless of the
effect on others or your world (independence) would simply be irresponsible.
Mike Mallory
----- Original Message -----
From: "Saul Ostrow" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 1:24 PM
Subject: Re: "There9s more alienation and separation of people in a
commodified landscape ...
Again you mistake or fail to differentiate between the differing meanings
associated with a term
1. how a person may come to represent themselves
2. identity
Self rule - to be able to make determinations in accord with one's own
priorities - i.e. To be sovereign - independent- autonomous
On 11/14/10 3:32 PM, "Mike Mallory" <[email protected]> wrote:
"self ruled"
strikes me as a quagmire.
--
