In some regards I agree with this. I do believe that our identities are strongly associated with our interactions with others. If enough people tell us we are stupid then we will most likely begin to identify ourselves as stupid. Whereas, if people compliment us on our intelligence and personality, we will have a much more positive view of ourselves. I also believe that the way we interact with others helps to mold the image of who we are. If we give of ourselves in service then we will become more generous, or if we treat others unkindly then we will become more selfish. Our interactions with others do influence and help create our self-image.
Yet, I do believe that introspection is a valuable and productive tool that can be used in order to understand and change the way we see ourselves. Self-introspection allows us to look at the way we see our selves. Do I think of myself as smart or stupid? Do I feel that I have something to offer? What good or bad qualities do I see in myself? Reflecting on these types of questions through introspection can help us to see where we are at in relation to our own self. Introspection can help us answer the question of "who do I think I am." As well as, "Am I the person I want to be?" When we use introspection we can easily come to conclusions about ourselves that are not accurate. For example, in my own life, during times of introspection, I have felt as though I am an annoying person and bothersome to others. However this is not the case. I can know this because I have asked others their opinion on the situation. Then after speaking to others about it, I then went back and did introspection again and I realized that this false view of myself originated from the lack of self esteem I had when I was younger. My own life experiences have shown me that we as humans do need to look at ourselves through the eyes of others and we need to spend time in introspection.
Great insights Joe on this theory especially on the reflections of the looking glass. When I read about it, I started to reflect on who I am as a person, and came to many of the conclusions you did. I realized that both life experiences and people's thoughts about me create who I am today. Ironically though, I am not sure if this relates to you, but sometimes I focus on what I do not want people to think of me which makes me act a certain way as well. Then this also depends on the crowd or person I am interacting with. After my reflection and I can tell within your experience as well that it becomes important for people to spend time in introspection. One can realize the person looking back at them in the mirror was formed somehow through experiences, judgments, and beliefs. Viewing yourself that way I hope brings more positivity rather than negativity.
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