 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
Preview first page |
Document Details : Title: Discussion with Harry Franfurt Subtitle: Some Questions about the Activity-Passivity Relation Author(s): SMEYERS, Paul Journal: Ethical Perspectives Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Date: April 1998 Pages: 22-30 DOI: 10.2143/EP.5.1.563104 Abstract : These days hardly anyone would disagree that our identity is constituted by the social structure to which we belong. But we also say that we ‘identify ourselves with’, even in general terms, say with a particular sex, group or subculture. Who we are does not seem to be exhausted by an ascribed identity by others. This is not only because others can be mistaken about ourselves, but also and more importantly, because we might resist a particular ascription with which one is saddled. And of course, sometimes, there is also our desire to change. The latter is at stake for instance when we ponder upon who we are and why we do certain things. And though it does not follow that we change because we want to do so, it is also incorrect to state that it does not play a part at all. Given the precedence of the intersubjective level, i.e., the priority of the third-person perspective concerning the constitution of the subject, it is therefore crucial to indicate how the individual, conceived from the very beginning at this level, can at the same time be thought of in a way which permits, for instance, incorporation of this caring for particular ethical demands, withouthowever falling into the trap of subjectivism |
|
