Motives and True Self

Shayan Kabiri
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read

This is our generation’s motto, “be your true self”. A notion initially funded and elaborated by Nietzsche and perhaps the most misunderstood one ever existing. But like every misunderstood concept this one has the potential too to be carved and exacted so it becomes a crucial part of our existence. One might say it as a new ability of life, representing to us. So it’s worthy to talk about few problems arising with the concept.

The biggest problem and perhaps mother of all other problems that comes from this issue is how one can say which say is a “True Self”? Logically every one has a self at all times and that self is as true as any other possible selves. So what does this term exactly aims at? Honestly, that is one of the hardest questions I’ve asked myself and as any other hard question maybe we should start by asking what things are not a “True Self” so we can at least clear up misunderstandings. Isn’t that how Michelangelo carved the angel? By carving the pieces of stone that was not the angel.

When talking about being the “True Self”, a rather obvious problem arises. Some activities are rebellious and doing them will make one feel like doing something that is True Self. But that is not true. The act of rebellion will give a false sense of identity because of tension with others (usually the authority). One might actually get addicted to this rebellion and start doing everything in opposition to majority, without having any clear basis for their actions. In other words, we’re giving up our freedom by deciding to be the sole opposer. And identity is yet not formed and behavior still has external motives. There’s another major problem on the way of being one true self. Some activities have stimulating properties. Jumping out of an airplane will stimulate our brain to the point of believing that it is part of us and our destiny. Put in other words, anything that comes heavy and strong to senses might be considered something legitimately coming out of True Self. but not everything strong is genuine.

How exactly can we measure motives’ origin then? That is the hard work. First we must determine how these motives are formed, and how much degree of analyticity they will accept. Since motives and goals are highly emotional matters perhaps we should not treat them as things that are above or below us.

These matter is very important and will be revisited but as for now, my opinion is that these real motives are right here. Not less, not more. Perhaps, genuine motives keep you in a rather dynamic equilibrium state, not above the cloud, not with face in the mud. But as Derrida put it, a true matured soul never assumes they have solved thousands years old mystery . Perhaps, the goal is to explore the genuine self and not actually reaching it in an absolute sense. Perhaps the True Self, is the surprise grand prize of taking the responsibility for our life.

Note to myself: Elaborate on the subject.

Shayan Kabiri

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Biologist, Psychologist, Mathematician and Philosopher