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Indeed, that's the truth. We're influenced more than we realized. Perhaps even compelled. But are we not then defined by those actions? (I don't mean defined by others.... I don't mean defined by words... I mean, don't our actions make us what we are?)
Our faults are not in our circumstances, but in us.Quote:
Originally Posted by XXdarkclarityXX
--Willie Shakespeare
I don’t think it makes any difference weather or not a man’s actions are influenced by his environment. His actions define him. His environment influences the man himself. His environment has an effect on his development and what he becomes. Therefore, if he commits an action as a result of his environment, his environment has effected the definition of the man in a way that caused the man’s action. To use darkclarity’s example of a homeless man, a homeless man who does not believe theft is right and commits theft to feed him or his family is still a thief. Regardless of his environment, his actions still define him.
but man is so much more.....we limit him in so many ways by saying that he is his actions.....maybe we simply cannot define man....most actions are just a superficial manifestation of ones own existence......but existing is more than "acting", its whys and hows......there has to be more in the pre than in the action itself....
The thread brings me back the memories of attending the Sociology Theory class which was held every Friday morning, from 8 to 10 am, and I was not even a Sociology student.
The question u asked was an intriguing one...but what u later replied to ThatIndividual...which is quoted here...is exactly where i find an answer...u see Man has lot of limitations while dciding to act in a particular way...but these limitations only lessen the number of choices he has...they don't finish the choices altogether...u can always chose to do something..Quote:
Originally Posted by Martha Q
right or wrong
sane or insane
sensible or insensible
required or unrequired
and if yet you think that before doing a thing you don't have a choice...think again...u can always chose to do a thing or not do it...
what actually defines a person is the way he "choses" to act.
I think a man is what he says, does & is.
Look at his way of life. Look at what he talks about. His word should be his bond...
I think a man is defined only by his actions. After all, it's the only thing we can actually see. His thoughts are his own, so we can do nothing about them.
Circumstance don't define men. One man who grows up in a slum may become a murderer and another a police man, for example. It's always up to that particular man what he makes of himself.
so themis you are saying that a man is defined by the people that surround him based on what they see?
To ask by what a man is defined, one must first clarify who is doing the defining...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martha Q
Eventually, yes.
@Union Jack: The legal system probably.
Floating around are bits and pieces of exchanged thoughts staying primarily in the realm of outside influences - what about interior?
Not so.Quote:
Originally posted by: Themis
One man who grows up in a slum may become a murderer and another a police man, for example. It's always up to that particular man what he makes of himself.
I speak to you as one of the Intelluctually chalanged :p
Not everyone is born with the ability to learn and retain at the same level.
When you look at the Murder / Policeman Example. I see problems with that.
The murderer may have struggled with school, friends, acceptance
- not only creating but also perpetuating low self esteem.
A personality formed at such a young age is almost impossible to alter.
(drugs - from doctors and dealers, are bound to happen)
The Policeman- Thats a job that takes confidence. Most likely, one who is a policeman was popular in school, had good grades and developed a more positive outlook towards life.
I'm not saying all with less cooperative synapses are going to turn into murders. It just makes it a bit more likely - Lesser brain function created an unhappy individual, so he strikes out at humanity.
Also I'm not saying that all with higher functioning brains will go onto higher education and live wealthy and fulfilling lives.
I know of a woman with a frightningly quick mind, who has worked the cashregister at the salvation army for over ten years now.
(she has an unusal look about her, never made friends as a child, never developed confidence, so also never developed ambition)
* so it seem Physical apperance also plays into what would drive a person to do something with life.
So saying:
It's always up to that particular man what he makes of himself
Is a very narrow minded view of what compels a persons actions.
We were not all delt the same hand.
We were not all born into neuturing familys
We were not all born into wealthy familys
We were not all born with minds capable of obtaining Scholarships
We were not all born with equal physical beauty (makes a difference)
We were not all born with the same options before us.
Look to the past to understand the actions of today.
Why thank you! I never thought of myself as "narrow minded".Quote:
Originally Posted by Outlander
Please do not personalise your comments; it is the ideas that we discuss, not the people.
oh - Nevermind
I just found the use of the word "always" to imply,
that all are dealt an equal hand.
I found it personaly offensive.
An implication that all those who have not obtained some high status in life have only somehow "Failed".
Forgive the offense of my use of the words "Narrow minded".
None was intended. - "Limited view", may have been more appropriate.
As I'm sure your implication of "Always" -an absolute-
was also an unintended offense.
Peace