The Vent Exhaust

Blog 13: Life Stories, I Don’t Get It

I would first like to address the title of Galen Strawson’s essay. I find myself agreeing with the title “I am not a Story.” We, as individuals, are not stories; we tell stories. Stories we tell about ourselves are not us. Those stories are only reflection, or evidence even, of who we are. Most, if not all, people like telling or listening to stories. Some stories have lessons, think about classic fairy-tales, and some stories are about learning more, think of conversation in terms of learning about someone or a lecture for information. These things can help us understand the world around us and understand ourselves. That is why we tell stories.

I find the idea of a life story kind of dumb. At least in the ways I have seen it presented. The whole rewriting aspect really throws me off. It kind of makes me thing about 1984 with the whole changing the past thing except it’s one the individual. I understand conceptually people are not typically changing how they knew an event happened, but I can’t help thinking that. Even so, the rewriting of a “life story” is a reflection of the changes a person has gone through since the last time it was rewritten.

One of the main points in Strawson’s essay was about having multiple selves. It is an interesting concept, but I can’t say I’m 100% on board. Although I’m not 100% off-board either. It would have to be something I think about while in the shower or something to make some interesting conclusions.

Annotations:

3 Comments

  1. Max Odryna

    Great job laying out your point and clearly stating what your stance on the topic is. You clearly portray that Strawson’s points were and how you feel about them. Also, I like how you aren’t afraid to give your honest thought and how you don’t just completely sway to one side. You kind of walk the line in the middle of disagreeing and agreeing with valid reason for each.

  2. slyytikainen

    I think you definitely have an interesting approach on how this is looked at. When I was reading his article, I definitely did not have this in mind. I think it is a good perspective that I have never really thought about until you addressed it. I definitely enjoyed reading your point of view!

  3. Elisha M Emerson

    I, also, enjoyed reading your point of view. I appreciate your clear writing as you explain the role you feel stories play in one’s life. When you think about Strawson’s comments on a story as changing, how do you see the change occur? How would one’s memory/story/narrative shift in respect to a person’s current motivations/understanding with the world.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

css.php