The Authentic Self

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the concept of the authentic self. It describes the theories of Enlightenment thinkers and the differences between these thoughts and the views of postmodernism thinkers. The paper also discusses the relationship between the individual and the society in which he lives. Additionally, the paper discusses the freedom that comes to the individual with the acceptance or rejection of the authentic self.

From the Paper:

"Postmodern notions that explode notions of the authentic self seem more fruitful than merely reacting against notions of selfhood provided by social institutions with an insistence upon a pure 'authentic self.' To follow Heidegger's mode of resistance would seem to require some form of social withdrawal, to avoid the dangers of inauthenticity. Accepting that the notion of an authentic self is a fiction frees the individual from the burden of having to find a fixed answer to the question of 'who am I?' Finding one's self can seem just as much of a burden to finding an answer to the totality of existence a la Hegel, or constructing the end of history, a la Marx. Postmodernism's humor and playfulness may partly come from its techniques of pastiche and parody, but may also lie in the fact that it does not take itself or 'the self' too seriously in a refreshing fashion, in contrast to other philosophical schools."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hornsby, Roy. "What Heidegger Means by Being-in-the-World." Oct 2002. 7 Aug 2007. http://royby.com/philosophy/pages/dasein.html

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• Analytical Essay # 55114 : "The Hidden Self"
• Analytical Essay # 134333 : "Freud, Nietzsche and the Self"

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