The Individual: Betrayal of The True Self

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As Descartes once said, “ Cogito ergo sum” , which translates I think therefore I am, advocates rationalization implies one's existence.(Stanford Encyclopedia) Historical myths advocate that human race attained existence when they rationally challenged the Divine who created them. One could argue that the whole purpose of existence is to progress through rational thinking . An individual embraces their true self with the help of the intellect. The Divine has bestowed upon the individual the freedom to disobey, go against, and even retaliate against irrational laws and morals. If one does not utilize the freedom of retaliation, an individual betrays their true nature of the self. If an individual gives into societal compliance and refuses to challenge popular ideology, one is betraying their true self. For, the true nature of an individual is non-compliance, compliance was placed to rob individuals of the freedom to think. The modern society have pillaged individuals from being true to themselves. Individuals, who live up to societal expectations, suffer a great deal of humiliation. Individuals are forced to exist to meet expectations the world has acquired of them. The world has placed societal roles for individual on the sole argument of order. Dictates of society has proven to destroy individuals by instructing their intellect. To Acquire the status of a dictator in society , one must rebel against the popular notion of compliance Therefore, an individual must thrive to non-conformity.

History has bestowed repugnance upon individuals who promote truth. The United States history textbooks are full of heroes glorifying the intellect of the majority. American presidents throughout history followed the appeal to...

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...s rebelled against the British government. The nation of Israel is a perfect fruit from the labor of Moses. If Moses had not retaliated the land of Israel would not have existed. For Moses, to abandon Egypt, was a tough existential choice,but self-reliance gave Moses an opportunity to be genuine with himself. Society always thrives to portray the ideal man who lives up to societal expectation. The Irony is the birth of non-conformist individual who retaliates against societies expectations.

Works Cited

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Self-Reliance." World of Ideas 8e I-claim. Boston: Bedford/st Martins, 2009. 256-67. Print.

Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning. Boston: Beacon, 2006. Print.

Fromm, Erich. "The Individual in the Chains of Illusion." World of Ideas 8e I-claim. Boston: Bedford/st Martins, 2009. 325-35. Print.

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