What constitutes the 'tribulations of the self' in contemporary society, according to Anthony Giddens? Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.This essay will seek an explanation of what constitutes the 'tribulations of the self' according to Anthony Giddens (1991). In the first part of this paper, I discuss some central ways language has been viewed focusing the review on social constructivist writings as well as those stemming from the study of human development.
In the second part of this paper, I discuss data that leads to the reconsideration of aspects of the language - selfhood interface. I conclude by suggesting some future avenues of research.First the essay will outline the various tribulations that Giddens describes in 'Modernity and Self-identity' (1991).A tribulation of the self is a test or trial for the self, that involves some degree of severity. Many of these tribulations that Giddens outlines are to do with the anxieties brought about by different aspects of life and how the individual deals with them.The first tribulation that Giddens examines is the influence of risk and doubt. Feelings of anxiety arise when the individual doubts or takes risks. Such anxieties may be reduced by adhering to a faith or religion. Often these will dictate a certain lifestyle that either reduces doubt and risk or allows the individual to think about them less (Giddens, 1991).
This was certainly the case in pre-modernity. Today more anxiety arises with the awareness that there are several possibilities and choices to do with decisions about life. Anxieties caused by risk may be more often caused by the risk calculations than the risks them selves (Giddens, 1991). Risk taking is an important part of life, people take risks every day and some become so much part of a routine that they appear no longer to be a risk. There are certain risks that are beyond our immediate control.
Such as 'ecological disaster, nuclear war or the ravaging of humainity by as yet unanticipated scourges' (Giddens, 1991. p 183). Those who spend all their time worrying about such things are not considered normal yet they are sources of anxiety (Giddens, 1991). Among other things there is awarness of high consequence risks and the notion that 'things go wrong' (Giddens, 1991. P182) are going to cause anxiety in every day life.
The next tribulation Giddens examines is 'ontological...
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...or town. Through mediation we are informed of day to day events across the other side of the globe. According to Giddens (1991, p 188):'the appropriation of mediated information follows pre-established habits and obeys the principle of the avoidance of cognitive dissonance.' Most of the mediated information is accepted without question.
In avoiding this questioning of the information one is remaining protected from the outside world and thus maintaining ontological security (Giddens, 1991). In this world we live in Giddens makes some direct comaprisons which are the root of tensions. The first dilemna is 'unification versus fragmentation'. Modernity fragments as well as unifying. In traditional society fragemntation was not seen as such a problem. Fragmentation of the self is the division of the self into several selves.
This may come from different presentations of the self that may be used upon meeting with different people. Part of the problem that causes tension and anxiety is that a person maybe more aware of 'the debate over global warming that with why the tap in the kitchen leaks.' (Giddens, 1991, p189). Tasks at hand may be more obscure than large scale global events.
Anxiety according to Dr.Mercola, “anxiety is a natural normal response to potential, threats, which puts your body into a heightened state of awareness.” (Dr. Mercola) People are often unaware and disregard the severity of the disorder, thus mistaking anxiety for stress. On the contrary, anxiety has many similarities to stress,but stress is an anxiety trigger.(Henry) Frequently the causes of anxiety are unknown or result with our a clear cause rather by its own will.( Henry) The disorder most distinct feature is its internal trigger and its internal response, unlike many other disorders frequently caused internally by the victim without their knowledge.(Henry) “[Anxiety like stress, triggers]... a flood of stress hormones like cortisol
The balance between fear and foresight is a necessary component for an individual to maintain a healthy lifestyle, an imbalance of these components can potentially put people in difficult situations as it relates to their survival. Fear can be a humbling experience when it is not balanced with foresight, the nuances of that particular experience instills a subconscious thought in an individual that resonates with fear, in terms of people realizing their mistakes and making the necessary adjustments in life.
Hume, David. "Of Personal Identity." Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Ed. G. Lee Bowie, Meredith W. Michaels and Robert C. Solomon. 4th ed. Harcourt College Publishers, 2000. 348-352
The fear of the world ending has for a long time, even though the thought isn’t always at the top of our mind nor our biggest problem but it is still a worry that affects many. Whether it's an asteroid hitting earth, a zombie apocalypse, or a killer plague, we often think about what we would do when the world ends. We think about our families and our daily lives taking a turn for the worst. Some people even suffer daily from the fear that the world might end at any second and it's known as the doomsday phobia. Although most of us don’t have the doomsday phobia it is still something that we think about. Most of us think about the end of the world as only a sify movie while there are others preparing for a day that the syfi blockbuster movie
One should see anxiety as an opportunity to grow. One can accomplish so much when they face their fears. Phil Hansen, James Collier and I had to overcome an obstacle and because we overcame our obstacle we were able to do what we wanted to do. One can’t simply use their anxiety and fears as an excuse to back away from situations. Anxiety is just another name for challenge. One can take the challenge and overcome his fears. One can’t simply let anxiety control him, their fears scare them and their obstacles get in their way and still expect positive outcomes. One will never eliminate his anxiety and fears by avoiding what caused
Anxiety is an extremely common feeling that occurs in everyday life. If I go out and meet new people, I get anxious while initiating a conversation with them. If any kind of crisis will happen in front of me for the first time I will get anxious for sure. For example,
Robinson, John. Personal Identity and Survival. The Journal of Philosophy , Vol. 85, No. 6 (Jun., 1988), pp. 319-328
In my words, Sociological imagination is a way for a person to look at their life as a result of their interaction with society. It can explain why a life is lived with way it is lived and all events, decisions, successes, and failures that have occurred. In my life I have encountered many situations, problems, opportunities and events. I can use my sociological imagination to examine these and figure out why I am the way I am and also why I have chosen to do certain things
An extreme, life-threatening situation, such as war or natural disaster. In these situations anxiety is a protective mechanism that helps you react to danger.
What is anxiety? Anxiety goes back many centuries there are many theories on anxiety for example “Benedict Morel (1809-73) argued that the symptoms of anxiety were triggered by disease of the nervous system. Maurice Krishaber (1836-83) argued anxiety was caused by cardiovascular irregularities.” Anxiety is, in fact, an emotion. Just like being happy or sad, anxiety brought about fear and worry. Emotions are the body’s natural instinct. As a doctor and writer Lewis Thomas put it ‘ We are perhaps, uniquely amount the earth’s creatures, the worrying animal. We worry our lives
Imagine going everyday worrying about what might happen that day such as being judged for what you are wearing, getting a bad grade on a test, or being ignored by your friends. People that deal with that on a repeated basis have something called an anxiety disorder. To help those with this disorder we need to learn what they are, symptoms, treatment options, recent studies and causes. Anxiety is a type of a disorder that affects many people around the world of any age. The disorder is not just getting stressed out over a simple test at school. It is characterized as a disorder if the stress and worrying in your life interferes with your life.
One may get anxiety when they are about to give a speech, one may when they are in a crowded area, or maybe it could happen to one every morning when they wake up, or even when they are reminded of their childhood. Anxiety is when a….. It can really affect people’s lives and make
How does one truly know oneself? Can anyone? The question of the “self” is fascinating, has pondered the minds of many philosophers over the centuries, and consequently has taken drastic change by the social conditions of the modern and postmodern world. Two centuries ago, this question was fairly easy to answer. Today, however, identity seems to no longer be a given, leaving this question unanswered. This sense of rootlessness is a byproduct of changing social conditions, which ultimately caused the shift from the stable view of self to the instable and disjointed postmodern view of self. By taking a closer look at Descartes’ modernist view of self compared to that of Nietzsche and Rorty’s postmodernist view, one will recognize the social conditions that have caused the shift from modern to post-modern philosophical thinking and how post-modernism has convoluted the efforts to find one’s identity. My intention is to explain how Christians are uniquely situated to provide answers that fragmented postmodernists are seeking by examining the forces in today’s social conditions that are foiling the efforts to find their identity.
Everyone worries, but being aware of stress is making people believe that their excessive emotions during harsh times are symptoms that need treating. It makes people feel as though they are not in charge of their lives. Perhaps if we manage and apply our stress effectively, it wouldn’t be thought of as so terrible, rather a good motivation.
Many people are also afraid of the “unknown”. The unknown could refer to what might happen tomorrow...