On the Differences, Part III
It's interesting that the individuating force is driving us when we have similar urges to try to "fit in." Why would we have both urges? One trying to separate us from society, the other trying to unite us. Constant internal conflict.
Now an interesting perspective on friends: they serve to satisfy both these desires. We want to be part of a group, have friendships that will unite us with at least one part of society. But we also use our friends as a mold, analyzing them for characteristics. Characteristics that we don't like, we try not to ascribe to ourselves; we individuate ourselves through comparisons with our friends. We decide how we are like our friends to fit in with society, and we decide how we are not like them to become individuals.
Do differences form our personalities?
Now an interesting perspective on friends: they serve to satisfy both these desires. We want to be part of a group, have friendships that will unite us with at least one part of society. But we also use our friends as a mold, analyzing them for characteristics. Characteristics that we don't like, we try not to ascribe to ourselves; we individuate ourselves through comparisons with our friends. We decide how we are like our friends to fit in with society, and we decide how we are not like them to become individuals.
Do differences form our personalities?
posted by Stu at 4:11 PM
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