Ownership and Sense of Self American business man and former politician, Chris Chocola, told Times Magazine. “And I would argue that the second greatest force in the universe is ownership.” In today’s society, a person’s worth and value is generally based on how much he or she owns. Those in the higher social classes typically own more prestigious objects; such as large houses, nice cars, and the most expensive brands of clothing. While those who lie at the bottom of the social pyramid are stereotyped as living in beat up trailers, driving dinky cars, and wearing the same shirt more than twice a week. As humans, we are so quick to judge others solely based on what they own. We admire those who have more than us, and act better than those who have less than us. Ownership is directly correlated with one’s self identity and how he or she feels about the world. The objects a person owns can give him or her an elevated ego, change the way he or she handles different life situations, and help shape his or her personality in very specific ways. The objects one possesses generally play a factor in how his or her personality is determined. Celebrities are constantly on the news for doing something completely outrageous and getting virtually no punishment for it. For example, one of the most famous pop singers of the twenty-first century, Justin Bieber, was caught driving while under the influence of alcohol. Even though the vehicle was not his, and he was younger than the age of
The relationship between our identities and possessions remains on going. In fact, Joan Kron elaborates on that matter in her essay The Semiotics of Home Décor and mentions how we barely know what is actually beyond our home décor and possessions (74). Kron argues that our possessions and home décor grants us with various aims that cater to our human needs “Our possessions give us a sense of security and stability. They make us feel in control…we use things to compete.” (75). Also, Kron talks about status and how its vitality is depicted through our possessions. Something as simple as the price tag, the originality and rareness of the object and its competence can say something about our status. With this in mind, Kron asserts that “Some objects
“It’s not what you own its what people think you own” (Ewen 183). Consumerism is fueling today’s “middle class”. Stewart Ewen’s “Chosen People” goes into detail about the rise of the materialistic middle class.
Unfortunately, if we are constantly comparing ourselves to celebrities and other people we will never learn to appreciate what we have. Delia Ephron, a writer for the New York Times, writes her stance on having it all in an article entitled “You Can’t Have It All, but You Can Have Cake”. In the article she describes how social media and society as a whole have provided this unattainable image of what it means to have it all. You have to have a nice car, fancy house, perfect children, high-status job… the list goes on and on. This “depressingly American” notion assumes that having it all is the same for everyone, that this version of life is desired by all; however,
The ability to have ownership over something, tangible or not, can give a person a sense of value or superiority when comparing themselves to others. Furthermore, as humans, it is easy to desire things as one’s own and claim it, but the way something is treated differs from person to person. As a result, the material items and skills a person has ownership over provides a glimpse of his or her’s true nature.
Once you own something, don't you care more about it (just because it is yours). Think about it, if your friend has a new Xbox One you are still going to take care of it. But, if you own a new Xbox One, aren't you going to take care of it more carefully? Just because it is yours, you are going to be more careful and care about it a lot more. Owning something, takes control of who you are. The more you own, the more stressed out you are going to be, because you care about more things more
Despite the fact that many wealthy people commonly are known to have nice clothes, some choose to spend their money on more beneficial things. Clothing is an essential need for life but many individuals would rather buy food to stock the pantry with. In adult’s lives wealth is based on your job position, in high school it is judged by the clothes you wear. This stereotypical classification does not take people’s personality or personal
Anywhere in the world, someone acquires something, whether it be money, a car, or even an idea. We can “own” many intangible and tangible items in life, but how does ownership relate to a sense and development of self? This question has been constantly answered for centuries through intelligent people like Plato, Aristotle, and Jean-Paul Sartre. However, the question has received no agreeable answer. In the end, people will agree that there is a strong and positive relationship between ownership and a sense of self because the things you own will define and develop who you are positively by exhibiting what you like, what you can and cannot do, and in the end, characterizes you, as long as you use the things you own properly.
Anywhere in the world, someone acquires something, whether it be money, a car, or even an idea. We can “own” many intangible and tangible items in life, but how does ownership relate to a sense of self? This question has been constantly answered for centuries through intelligent people like Plato, Aristotle, and Jean-Paul Sartre. However, the question has received no agreeable answer. In the end, people will agree that there is a strong and positive relationship between ownership and a sense of self because the things you own will define and develop who you are positively by exhibiting what you like, what you can and cannot do, and in the end, characterizes you, as long as you use the items you own properly.
Ownership exists between the tangible and the intangible; while owning objects often devolve into unhappiness and heighten a dangerous materialistic outlook, ownership of the intangible promotes and builds a concrete, upright moral character. The pursuit of tangible ownership inevitably leads to a precarious path of dissatisfaction and misery. While the attainment of material goods may have benefits, it quickly devolves into a twisted desire that spurs the growth of emotions such as greed; this appears mainly when the ownership of tangible items defines a person’s status and gives people a sense of worthiness. At this point, people define themselves with their possessions of the number of flashy cars and extravagant mansions they own rather than relying on their own personality.
Through out the history of the world, people have been placed into categories based on their wealth, and all of the worldly possessions that we have. These classes of society can
According to Psychologist Abraham Maslow in “Self-actualization and Beyond,” self-actualization is a process in which one identifies his inner ability to do something productive. Once this inner talent comes out, that’s when a person actualizes himself. He believes that every individual self-actualizes, and while doing so one might make many wrong choices. Sonny and his older brother are faced with several obstacles while being on a journey to self-actualization in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. However, these obstacles not only come from their surroundings, but within themselves as well. The narrator himself and his younger brother, Sonny struggle with, and gradually develop their own
Now, let’s be honest. Kids living in this generation can’t stand not owning things that they want. That is not all that surprising as it can be proven through the essay, “The Tyranny of Things” by Woodbridge Morris. Woodbridge Morris proves the point that over consuming can lead to addiction and that addiction can change people’s everything. The author, Woodbridge Morris, builds an argument to persuade her readers that possessions are oppressive through examples, reasoning, and experiences.
Ownership is the act and state of having something in control or possession. Aristotle claims that owning tangible objects help to build moral character, while Jean-Paul Sartre proposes that ownership extends beyond to include intangible things such as skill or knowledge. Different objects can have varying effects on the development of self identity, leading us to who we grow as a person. A sense of self can be a reflection to what we own, whether it is a tangible or not. Ownership of intangible and tangible objects play a vital role for the growth of self identity, as it teaches crucial morals in life to develop personal character.
Today, people consume for pleasure. The act of consuming goods may allow one to fit in, feel confident, or participate socially in shopping culture. Consumerism has become a universal behaviour amongst most people and groups. According to Sharon Boden, consumption is affected by both external and internal constraints and expectations (150). I argue that consumerism and consumption is no longer an accurate indicator of a person’s actual status and wealth. As a society, we have increased accessibility to commodities and experiences. For example, driving a Mercedes-Benz is no longer a symbol of being wealthy or belonging to the upper class. Leases or loans have brought such luxuries to a broader spectrum of social
A sense of self is a general conscious awareness of your own identity. I have come to understand the term as it is what defines me and makes me one of a kind. It could be a certain look, attitude or personality trait. It could also be the way I view a certain person, thing or subject. My sense of self could even be my purpose in life, perhaps? If it is, then I would say that my sense of self is something that has changed over time and will continue to develop as I get older and my life is influenced by events, places and people. Developing my sense of self is key to living a satisfying and healthy life.