I feel like there are many points in our lives that we could agree that we are one or the other. I feel like as we grow and change our viewpoints change. Therefore, we may feel like we are a “Narrative” at some points and not at others. I think it all has to come down to where you are in life and how you feel about everything. I agree with Strawson when she said its false that “everyone stories themselves, and false that it’s always a good thing.” I feel like some people do not think of themselves in their own story because of who they are, and if they did they would not have an easy time with life being in that mindset. Always thinking of life as a story could end up very badly, for some people, because they may not take things as seriously as they should or they may take it too seriously. In the end, the result means that they are not actually living life, and instead going through the motion to have a “single good story” and leading oneself to have such a manner “to make a good story of it rather than a good life.”
I do not think that I have felt dampened by my life story because it is mine I know that it can go in the direction I want it to or at least try because I do what I do and no one else can really decide what I believe in.
When Strawson was talking about having more than oneself, at first I thought of people who have multiple personalities but as I continued reading it made more sense. I now feel like there are definitely different sides to me and I have more than oneself. It all comes down to the point in life I am at and what the situation is for me.
I have read and annotated, “I am not a story”, by Galen Strawson; below are some of my reactions when reading this essay.
Hey Montana! You have a lot of really interesting ideas. I especially like where you talk about how paying too much attention to one’s narrative can be harmful. I did not think of this before, but I agree with you. Concentrating too much on the decisions we make isn’t living. I also thought it was interesting when you brought up how at some points life may feel like a narrative but at other times it doesn’t. Does it only feel this way when we are made aware? You have some really great thoughts!
I really like your point you bring up about Strawson when mentioning the multiple personalities. I felt the same way reading and in a sense at first thought of it as a stretch but after reading I had same feelings toward the idea as well. I also like your point about not being dampened by your story cause you control it all.
Your annotations are out of this world, Montana! They look amazing! Keep up the wonderful work, and thank you for sharing your free write. As always, I appreciate your nuanced thinking.