Summary: In Search of the True Self (Article Critique Sample)

[Your Name] [Instructor Name] [Course Number] [Date] Summary: In Search of the True Self Introduction In the article, the writer tries to clarify the concept of the true self that people associate with their identity. The article explains that there are opposing views concerning the definition of the true self of an individual. The article asks if the true self of a person is defined by their primal instincts or by higher ideals learned from the environment (Knobe). The author discusses and tries to resolve the issue. He also seeks to show the subjectivity of the idea of the true self. Discussion The author commences the discussion by asking the reader what they imagine their true self to be. Is a person closer to their true qualities in a subconscious state? In that state, their actions are free from logic but are influenced by primal, carnal urges (Knobe). Conversely, do people show their true selves when they control their fleeting, artificial desires? The author explains that, in the second argument, our primal feelings and desires impede our pursuit of lofty goals. Those goals are irrelevant to our inner, primitive selves (Knobe). Therefore, in what state is an individual closer to their true self? To illustrate the basic question, Knobe gives an example. It is of a homosexual priest. He struggles with his sexual needs, which conflict with his religious ideals. The priest struggles to subdue his sinful urges. He sees them as barriers to his spiritual growth. The author shows that his true nature is homosexual. His worldly religious views suppress it (Knobe). Conversely, spirituality might also be his true self. Its perfection is flawed by fleeting homosexual urges. Therefore, there is an element of subjectivity to the notion of the true self. Knobe responds by saying that the 'true self' is subjective. It varies with the quirks of an individual. The author explains that, for a conservative, homosexuality is evil. The true self of the priest is his faith. He must defend his religious ideals at all costs, even if it means suppressing his carnal urges. A liberal might argue that the primal urges of the vicar define his true self. His religious idealism prevents him from attaining happiness (Knobe). So, beliefs might affect the view of the true self. Before addressing the main questions, the writer clarifies them. The true self is a complicated concept. For example...