Original Post
What makes us who we are?
What defines you, the general human entity? Or YOU, a specific entity of humanity?
Is it what we do that sets us apart from others? Is it the underlying motives and though processes that make us who we are? In a similar vein, in a world with 7 billion, are you ever truly unique? Maybe your exact circumstances are, but every choice you make, it almost seems as though thousands more made the exact same. Can we find individuality in our lives? There aren't 7 billion different occupations or lifestyles for all of us. Somewhere there's another person sitting behind a computer screen asking the same questions I am, and that makes me question any idea that I or anyone else is special. I suppose there are exceptions like presidents of countries, but there are lots of Harvard-educated lawyers running around in politics, Barack Obama isn't some sort of unknown outlier. And if what defines us are our relationships with others, aren't we just a seething mass of ambiguity, an endless ring of synonyms that define each other in the dictionary?
I can only guess at what, on a genetic level, sets me apart. I would have to argue that what forms my identity are my values and ideas, as they define both the choices I make, and to a much lesser extent, my relationships with those around me.
And yet, it seems as though my values and ideas just as much a result of my environment and those around me, even more so, than some intrinsic properties in my DNA. If I grew up in a poorer environment, would I be a fundamentally different person? Would I not be me, or even relate to me?
It's a really difficult question that I find I can't completely tackle, and I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject.
Is it what we do that sets us apart from others? Is it the underlying motives and though processes that make us who we are? In a similar vein, in a world with 7 billion, are you ever truly unique? Maybe your exact circumstances are, but every choice you make, it almost seems as though thousands more made the exact same. Can we find individuality in our lives? There aren't 7 billion different occupations or lifestyles for all of us. Somewhere there's another person sitting behind a computer screen asking the same questions I am, and that makes me question any idea that I or anyone else is special. I suppose there are exceptions like presidents of countries, but there are lots of Harvard-educated lawyers running around in politics, Barack Obama isn't some sort of unknown outlier. And if what defines us are our relationships with others, aren't we just a seething mass of ambiguity, an endless ring of synonyms that define each other in the dictionary?
I can only guess at what, on a genetic level, sets me apart. I would have to argue that what forms my identity are my values and ideas, as they define both the choices I make, and to a much lesser extent, my relationships with those around me.
And yet, it seems as though my values and ideas just as much a result of my environment and those around me, even more so, than some intrinsic properties in my DNA. If I grew up in a poorer environment, would I be a fundamentally different person? Would I not be me, or even relate to me?
It's a really difficult question that I find I can't completely tackle, and I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject.
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I really don't think this topic is a good idea, and I think you know how it will end.
I will keep it concise:
DNA, environment, -EXPLODE-
If we we all looked the same, and lived in a giant white room with a bunch of multicolored balls and canned beans/water, but nothing else, we would not have complex personalities, and our interests would be more or less limited to how we enjoy life, which ball is our favorite, whether we prefer beans to water, do we like the taste, how we came to be, and thoughts about each other. So don't shit any creationist "we are all god's children" garbage on this thread please.
inb4creationistshitstorm
I will keep it concise:
DNA, environment, -EXPLODE-
If we we all looked the same, and lived in a giant white room with a bunch of multicolored balls and canned beans/water, but nothing else, we would not have complex personalities, and our interests would be more or less limited to how we enjoy life, which ball is our favorite, whether we prefer beans to water, do we like the taste, how we came to be, and thoughts about each other. So don't shit any creationist "we are all god's children" garbage on this thread please.
inb4creationistshitstorm
Last edited by NormalCitizen; Feb 1, 2013 at 03:07 PM.
In order of your questions;
Form and genetics, if it fits the mold it's a human.
Experiences and personality, not to mention genetics.
In part, but also what we think, feel, and how we experience the world.
In part yes, physical and mental, past and present, each are important.
Yes, without a doubt. You can broadly categorize people, but in the end when you zoom in far enough, you can tell the difference.
We can find individuality, but individuality does not mean uniqueness, it doesn't mean doing things no one has ever done. I don't really think uniqueness or individuality should be glorified, because the one thing that makes humans powerful is their team work.
What's wrong with ambiguity? Language doesn't define the world. Sure it's a bother when you are dealing with specific situations, which is why you should treat adjectives as you would circles on a venn diagram, they narrow things down, not pinpoint them.
Nature and nurture are both important, even if you grew up elsewhere you would still be you, but because of your different experiences you would hold different values, ideals, etc. You wouldn't be a fundamentally different person.
To sum it up, a lot of this topic is "it's hard to explain but I know it when I see it".
Feeling nostalgic about your teenage years Boredpayne? Me too recently, during a random train of thought I remembered a class debate (I was spectating) in which a team used the bible to dis-prove that "fiction is more popular than non-fiction".
Why so many synonyms? Can't we just say "DNA and environment" (aka nature and nuture)?
Otherwise please post some citation to prove that DNA, race and ethnicity are not linked ;)
Maybe I'm too much of a machinist, but even if I buy two computers and use them for the same thing, they are going to be separate and have their own quirks build up with time anyway. Even two identical machines in the same environment are unique. It's crazy to even question if humans are unique.
Form and genetics, if it fits the mold it's a human.
Experiences and personality, not to mention genetics.
In part, but also what we think, feel, and how we experience the world.
In part yes, physical and mental, past and present, each are important.
Yes, without a doubt. You can broadly categorize people, but in the end when you zoom in far enough, you can tell the difference.
We can find individuality, but individuality does not mean uniqueness, it doesn't mean doing things no one has ever done. I don't really think uniqueness or individuality should be glorified, because the one thing that makes humans powerful is their team work.
What's wrong with ambiguity? Language doesn't define the world. Sure it's a bother when you are dealing with specific situations, which is why you should treat adjectives as you would circles on a venn diagram, they narrow things down, not pinpoint them.
Nature and nurture are both important, even if you grew up elsewhere you would still be you, but because of your different experiences you would hold different values, ideals, etc. You wouldn't be a fundamentally different person.
To sum it up, a lot of this topic is "it's hard to explain but I know it when I see it".
Feeling nostalgic about your teenage years Boredpayne? Me too recently, during a random train of thought I remembered a class debate (I was spectating) in which a team used the bible to dis-prove that "fiction is more popular than non-fiction".
Originally Posted by NormalCitizen
DNA, environment, brain, race, ethnicity, how I was raised, etc.
Why so many synonyms? Can't we just say "DNA and environment" (aka nature and nuture)?
Otherwise please post some citation to prove that DNA, race and ethnicity are not linked ;)
Maybe I'm too much of a machinist, but even if I buy two computers and use them for the same thing, they are going to be separate and have their own quirks build up with time anyway. Even two identical machines in the same environment are unique. It's crazy to even question if humans are unique.
Last edited by ImmortalCow; Feb 1, 2013 at 10:48 AM.
