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Subject: The Ego
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Do you believe the ego should be embraced or controlled? Why?

Definition of ego in the context for those who don't know it:


1. The self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves.

2. In psychoanalysis, the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality.


I'm not making this into a poll because I'd like answers with reasoning, not just an unsupported response. Though, it might just be wishful thinking that I'd get at least one good response.

  • 08.18.2004 9:15 PM PDT
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There's a difference between embracing your ego, and shoving it in other's faces for your own personal enjoyment. It's good to have a strong ego, it's how you show it to others that matters.

  • 08.18.2004 9:18 PM PDT
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Posted by: finalwaltz
There's a difference between embracing your ego, and shoving it in other's faces for your own personal enjoyment. It's good to have a strong ego, it's how you show it to others that matters.


Hmmm, not sure if you're on the right track or not.

Ego, in this sense, is the same as some eastern religions' idea on it. "Ego" is who you are. The Samanas, for instance, attempted to get rid of the ego and reach enlightenment by torturing their bodies.

  • 08.18.2004 9:20 PM PDT
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it should be controlled. If I am understanding this correctly then I think the ego is like a subconsience, but I dont like the idea that I don't control my own thoughts. I'm very sketchy on the topic mainly because I don't understand it well but I'm throwing my opinion at you anyway.

  • 08.18.2004 9:21 PM PDT
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A little confidence never hurt anyone.

  • 08.18.2004 9:23 PM PDT
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Posted by: Fatalsnipe9
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it should be controlled. If I am understanding this correctly then I think the ego is like a subconsience, but I dont like the idea that I don't control my own thoughts. I'm very sketchy on the topic mainly because I don't understand it well but I'm throwing my opinion at you anyway.


That's certainly a part of the ego. Buddhist schools of thought would say the ego is (or causes) desire. What you want is largely controlled by your subconscious.

So, you're saying that you should control your ego, because you shouldn't let your subconscious control you?

[Edited on 8/18/2004 9:28:09 PM]

  • 08.18.2004 9:27 PM PDT
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Posted by: Dead_Meat
A little confidence never hurt anyone.


Read the definition.

  • 08.18.2004 9:27 PM PDT
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Posted by: ObbiQuiet
Posted by: finalwaltz
There's a difference between embracing your ego, and shoving it in other's faces for your own personal enjoyment. It's good to have a strong ego, it's how you show it to others that matters.


Hmmm, not sure if you're on the right track or not.

Ego, in this sense, is the same as some eastern religions' idea on it. "Ego" is who you are. The Samanas, for instance, attempted to get rid of the ego and reach enlightenment by torturing their bodies.


I know what you mean. I was using the more traditional definition of ego that most people use. Most people think of ego as how you think of your self. It's considered having a big ego if you boast your accomplishment to make others feel worse, or to make yourself feel better.

By the definition of ego you're using, it's up to the person to control it or embrace it. I personally try to control it. I try to change myself to make myself a better person everyday. Many people try to do this. Other's embrace it, and accept themselves the way they are.

I think it's better to embrace the ego, as those that do will be more happy with themselves the way they are. I try to control my ego, because i want to be different than i am now. Unfortunately, with me trying to change myself, it also means i'm not happy with my current ego. Those who aren't happy with themselves usually aren't very happy at all.

  • 08.18.2004 9:29 PM PDT
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Posted by: ObbiQuiet
Posted by: Fatalsnipe9
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it should be controlled. If I am understanding this correctly then I think the ego is like a subconsience, but I dont like the idea that I don't control my own thoughts. I'm very sketchy on the topic mainly because I don't understand it well but I'm throwing my opinion at you anyway.


That's certainly a part of the ego. Buddhist schools of thought would say the ego is (or causes) desire. What you want is largely controlled by your subconscious.

So, you're saying that you should control your ego, because you shouldn't let your subconscious control you?


Bingo.

  • 08.18.2004 9:31 PM PDT
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Final, good point. I hadn't considered people controlling or embracing their ego based only on how content they were.

And I'll post my views in a bit, perhaps tomorrow.

  • 08.18.2004 9:36 PM PDT
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Posted by: Fatalsnipe9
Posted by: ObbiQuiet
Posted by: Fatalsnipe9
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it should be controlled. If I am understanding this correctly then I think the ego is like a subconsience, but I dont like the idea that I don't control my own thoughts. I'm very sketchy on the topic mainly because I don't understand it well but I'm throwing my opinion at you anyway.


That's certainly a part of the ego. Buddhist schools of thought would say the ego is (or causes) desire. What you want is largely controlled by your subconscious.

So, you're saying that you should control your ego, because you shouldn't let your subconscious control you?


Bingo.


Consider this much: How can you control your subconscious if all of your conscious decisions are already controlled by it?

(the situation is similar to us viewing the universe as it actually is. We can't see the universe for what it is because we are trapped inside the universe, and our existance is dependent on it. Since we're physically built in the universe we can't actually observe and control it. Much the same with out subconscious. Our conscious is built upon our subconscious, so we can't actually control it.)

Edit: Also, fatal, if you aren't controlled by your subconscious responding to stimuli, then what would allow you to respond to things the way you do?

[Edited on 8/18/2004 9:53:03 PM]

  • 08.18.2004 9:48 PM PDT

♠The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's friend's enemy♠

[color=red]Anyone get the impression that Obbiquiet is trying to imitate the Achitect?[/color]

  • 08.18.2004 9:52 PM PDT
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Posted by: Knightmare01
[color=red]Anyone get the impression that Obbiquiet is trying to imitate the Achitect?[/color]
Just a kid trying to figureout why he is the way he is.

[Edited on 8/18/2004 9:55:09 PM]

  • 08.18.2004 9:54 PM PDT
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Posted by: Knightmare01
[color=red]Anyone get the impression that Obbiquiet is trying to imitate the Achitect?[/color]


You'd only get that impression if the Architect represented the height of your abstract thought. :P

Edit: You rarely see this side of me here. Unfortunately, my other forum was down, and I wanted to talk about this subject, so I posted it here.

[Edited on 8/18/2004 9:56:37 PM]

  • 08.18.2004 9:54 PM PDT

♠The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's friend's enemy♠

[color=red]You have a pretty big ego Obbiquiet. Exactly how much time do you spend at the library everyday?[/color]

  • 08.18.2004 9:59 PM PDT
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Posted by: Knightmare01
[color=red]You have a pretty big ego Obbiquiet. Exactly how much time do you spend at the library everyday?[/color]


I don't like the library. I won't touch a used book. If I want to read something I buy the book. Reading books other people have used grosses me out.

  • 08.18.2004 10:01 PM PDT

♠The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's friend's enemy♠

Posted by: ObbiQuiet
Posted by: Knightmare01
[color=red]You have a pretty big ego Obbiquiet. Exactly how much time do you spend at the library everyday?[/color]


I don't like the library. I won't touch a used book. If I want to read something I buy the book. Reading books other people have used grosses me out.



[color=red]Is it because of the smell or the stains?[/color]

  • 08.18.2004 10:03 PM PDT
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My phobia, like most, isn't based on reality, but I still have it.

It's even the feel of a book. Just knowing someone else touched it makes me feel dirty.

(I'm only this way with door knobs and books)

  • 08.18.2004 10:05 PM PDT

♠The enemy of my enemy is my enemy's friend's enemy♠

[color=red]I was kidding...[/color]

  • 08.18.2004 10:10 PM PDT
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Posted by: Knightmare01
[color=red]I was kidding...[/color]


Don't expect anything different than for me to take ambiguous comments seriously in threads like these.

I play many personalities on different forums, and right now the debate forum one is overlapping into the bungie.net forum. To joke with me now is cruel, since I'll probably miss it.

  • 08.18.2004 10:13 PM PDT
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Posted by: Xeroh
Leggo my Ego.


It was only a matter of time.

  • 08.18.2004 10:20 PM PDT
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In response to the 11th post (I didn't quote because of size reasons) that is a very good point, I've never thought about it that way. I'm enjoying this thread very much. : )

  • 08.18.2004 10:31 PM PDT
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Posted by: ObbiQuiet

Though, it might just be wishful thinking that I'd get at least one good response.



I'd like to spite you, but, nah :D

  • 08.18.2004 10:52 PM PDT

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