Is There A Real You? (With A Christian Twist)

Julian Baggini’s 2011 talk, Is There a Real You?  ventures into an unusual way of thinking about oneself. He expresses that people have no problem understanding that different apparatuses and pieces compose a watch and not that a watch is its own thing with separate attached features. 

However, he is quick to point out that people do not follow the same logic with human beings. This is to say that people overemphasize a single factor that makes an individual unique, ignoring that people are essentially a bundle of things (i.e., sensations, beliefs, wishes, etc.). 

I agree that an individual cannot and should not be reduced to a single characteristic for he or she is more than that. Our experiences shape who we are, and like Mr. Baggini says, our memories and beliefs impact the real you. Still, it is not as if a specific event dictates our personality unchangeably. 

Exclusive Control Brain Function 

Mr. Baggini brings up that there is not a single place in the brain, or the body for that matter, that has sole control over the whole being. This is true, all of our organs have a function of their own, but they rely on the help of other organs to keep each other working–and of course, the whole body functions well as a result. 

This idea does not take away from the notion of self; instead, it provides a new way of thinking about us individually. Having many attributes suggests that there are just as many ways to change and improve. Baggini says that a real self is “not a thing needing to be found, but something ready to be created.” 

Creating A Self?

This approach is very refreshing to hear. In life, people always talk about wanting to find their calling but rarely stop to say that they are working on changing or improving their current state.

I’ll argue that having this mentality is what creates anxiety when trying to figure out what to major in college and what career to pursue. We shouldn’t think that there is one right way of going about life as if our choices’ consequences were irreversible. 

Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets

Beliving that one can improve notwithstanding the circumstances reminds me of the psychological notion of growth vs. fixed mindset. Some people believe they can accomplish great things despite obstacles that might get in the way, having a growth mindset. 

Others with fixed mindsets think they’re stuck in place, and nothing will ever change. There is plenty of research suggesting that people with growth mindsets have more promising outcomes since they are more likely to persevere trials until a solution is reached. 

Like Mr. Baggini’s idea, mindsets can shift, meaning a fixed mindset could turn to a growth mindset and vise versa. I speculate that it is partly due to the flexibility of having multiple parts of ourselves(i.e., external motivations, conscious, hormones, etc.) all working together. Needless to say, the world around us is ever influencing our preferences and desires. 

Applying Faith 

While I agree with Mr. Baggini’s argument on shifting our mentality from wanting to subscribe to a particular personality type to utilizing the different parts that make us somebody to our advantage, as a Christian, I will take his conversation a step further.

We know we were made from Love to love. We do not need to search for our identity because we know we are children of God through Christ, our Lord. Our free will allows us to make choices that go against the identity that God has given us, but it does not take away from being made in His image and likeness. 

I understand the eagerness to find a perfectly detailed blueprint of who the real you is meant to be–everything from what to wear, who to hang out with, what to study, who to marry, etc. However, that is God’s mercy shining through. By not giving us an overly detailed guide on how to do God’s will, every one of us can live life according to God’s will no matter how distinct our personal experiences and circumstances are.  

Gifts of the Spirit

In 1 Corinthians 12, we learn that the Holy Spirit gives individual gifts or attributes. And similar to Mr. Baggini’s watch analogy, we read at the end of the same chapter that we are part of God’s body. 

 (1 Cor 12:24-25)

…God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another

Your preferences, potential trials, and societal pressures should not interfere with who you are: a child of the Most High. So, defining the real you is not as hard as we make it out to be. The real challenge is understanding what our identity means and making an effort to live it boldly. 

Thankfully, we have many saints praying for us, and most of all, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us!

Challenge of today: Read Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians and find what gift the Spirit has granted you.