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Identity

By Michael Alan Prestwood

Author and Natural Philosopher

05 May 2024
Published 2 years ago.
Updated 2 years ago.

Identity

Existence before essence.
Crafting yourself from your given traits.

30 Phil, Chapter 7, Heraclitus, Touchstone 17: Identity.

Identity is the personal mosaic of attributes that set you apart as an individual. Your identity is shaped by the worldview you embrace and mold. It encompasses the world you were born into — encompassing aspects like gender, ethnicity, and nationality — and extends to your personal choices, including affiliations, accumulated knowledge, and even your preferences in entertainment. It also includes aspects that evolve and change on your journey including such things as your current age, where you choose to live, and how you make a living. It’s a complex interplay of internal and external factors. You are born without a predetermined essence or nature. It’s only through our experiences—through the act of living—that we define our essence, our identity.

The end.
Tidbits make it possible to build slowly and honestly, without losing track of where an idea came from.
The goal is not to persuade quickly, but to build a stable framework where ideas can be tested honestly.
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