Does it matter how people see us?
There are two camps.
One believes that when one is secure enough in himself, it doesn't matter how others see them. This camp is characterised by quotes such as 'it doesn't matter as long as I know myself.', 'my conscience is clear.', or 'I know who I am.'
The other camp believes that it does matter how our reputations are and how people see us. Members of this camp would say 'hm. but you can't let that kind of rumours about you go on!', or 'i don't want to be misunderstood.'
It's interesting, because in these two camps I see a debate brewing between the modernist and the post-modernist, between the objectivist and the constructionist. I don't profess to be an expert in these things, these are just my 2 cents' worth.
The modernist with his absolutist views would perceive his own absolute understanding of himself as the quality of supreme value, and would try to make that the supreme influence over the security of his own heart. However, the post-modernist would recognise that his neighbour's view of himself is as valid as the view that he has of himself, because each man constructs his reality of the truth.
These are, of course, not the only issues involved in this discussion.
However, I'm more tempted to stand on the side of the post-modernist here. I think it is not merely enough to know yourself, but that it is just as important to portray that 'self' to others around us, so that their construction of our identity is as close as possible to our own absolutist understanding of ourselves.
As I've said before, I think one of the merits of the constructivist position is that of facilitating understanding. By insisting only on our own view of ourselves, but not being able to project that same self accurately to our neighbours' views of us, is a surefire way to create conflict. Conflict that stems from a lack of understanding, and conflict that stems from an unbothered attitude to explain ourselves because we hold on to our own views of ourselves. After all, a man's defense of himself is a defense against the heresies others hold and believe about him, not a defense against his own beliefs; for a defense is always a defense against an external agent of attack.
Let's be balanced. To know ourselves deeply, and to portray that same depth of our being to those around us. :)
One believes that when one is secure enough in himself, it doesn't matter how others see them. This camp is characterised by quotes such as 'it doesn't matter as long as I know myself.', 'my conscience is clear.', or 'I know who I am.'
The other camp believes that it does matter how our reputations are and how people see us. Members of this camp would say 'hm. but you can't let that kind of rumours about you go on!', or 'i don't want to be misunderstood.'
It's interesting, because in these two camps I see a debate brewing between the modernist and the post-modernist, between the objectivist and the constructionist. I don't profess to be an expert in these things, these are just my 2 cents' worth.
The modernist with his absolutist views would perceive his own absolute understanding of himself as the quality of supreme value, and would try to make that the supreme influence over the security of his own heart. However, the post-modernist would recognise that his neighbour's view of himself is as valid as the view that he has of himself, because each man constructs his reality of the truth.
These are, of course, not the only issues involved in this discussion.
However, I'm more tempted to stand on the side of the post-modernist here. I think it is not merely enough to know yourself, but that it is just as important to portray that 'self' to others around us, so that their construction of our identity is as close as possible to our own absolutist understanding of ourselves.
As I've said before, I think one of the merits of the constructivist position is that of facilitating understanding. By insisting only on our own view of ourselves, but not being able to project that same self accurately to our neighbours' views of us, is a surefire way to create conflict. Conflict that stems from a lack of understanding, and conflict that stems from an unbothered attitude to explain ourselves because we hold on to our own views of ourselves. After all, a man's defense of himself is a defense against the heresies others hold and believe about him, not a defense against his own beliefs; for a defense is always a defense against an external agent of attack.
Let's be balanced. To know ourselves deeply, and to portray that same depth of our being to those around us. :)
I'm not sure if your usage of theoretical terms of modernist, post-modernist and constructivism are accurate. =P Anyway, I believe being congruent is the most important. How we see ourselves, are in part also made know to us by the comments of others around us. I believe in letting others see a congruent self, but more so only those closest to you will truly know you as who you are. I guess the relationship with God applies to our human relationships, to known and to be made known.