Arguments On the Human Ego

             It is my intention here to describe the relationship of both the personal and societal egos with the betterment of society versus the continument of what is now a series of failed systems. These are my opinions and analyses on these subjects, as well as their properties and definitions, presented to you so that you may either agree with me and begin to follow the path which I suggest objectively or disagree with me, deciding instead on a different path. However, either way it is my hope that either path will prove to be simply means to the same end and the gradual progression to the common goal of an ideal society.

            I must begin by defining my terms as will be used in this paper so that I may be fully understood. These may not be the way these words would be used by some, though this fact is of little importance; it is simply necessary that you understand the meaning behind my arguments.

            The ego is in fact a strange term, variable to context, though I will hold it here most rigidly to a definition fashioned to my own purposes. The ego is the variable describing an individual or wholes task set before them, which they hope to fulfill so that they may achieve the greater purpose for the happiness and contentment of the existing holder of said ego. This defined ego is able (for the purposes of this essay) to exist on two separate levels: that of the man, the one, the individual, and that of society, the whole, the entirety. These two are very easy to confuse on a physical, though not theoretical level and I seek to argue the effects on both the individual as well as society of filling one or the other.

            Meanwhile, society may be defined as the ranged standards, morals, philosophies and ultimate cycles of human life. Today’s society is, as many recognize, far from perfect. In a fair and just system, two people who worked just as hard would end up with similar choice, rights, and opportunities. This is clearly not the case; a child of Darfur is born to rape, poverty and hardship, while the child of Silicon Valley is born to a fiber-optic Mecca. However, the greatest flaw of our current society as we have defined it is that it has created an ego of its own, which so long as it is fulfilled, keeps the various failures of society in place and protects itself rather than its beneficiaries.

            Indeed, by fulfilling the ego of society and the whole, one not only continues the problems that are put in place, but additionally these people are not rewarded with the contentment that is expected. People of this society are constantly pressured, by those in power, as well as the media to follow a certain route. The path mandated by the societal ego is either to be of the upper class, which controls all things below it, or the lower class, which lends an air of superiority to the upper class. Under a number of different systems, there would be room and a place for a successful middle class, which would replace the upper class as that would become the norm. Furthermore, it is possible to entirely eliminate the lower class, yet that would be different from the current system which holds out for its survival above all else. Therefore, by joining one of these two classes, one assumes the positions that they normally present, all of which were designed by logical phenomenon to continue the cycle. The rich continue to drain the middle class by forcing and battering down all those below them, gaining power from those they seek to destroy, while the lower class remain victims of it all.

            One must entirely reject the societal ego, not only for the problems presented above, but also the greatness offered by fulfilling the personal ego. When one is able to push away their base fears and embrace the love presented by the self, so will they graduate their lives to true and utter happiness. One such as Thoreau, who lives for their own standard and none other, are able to embrace life on the premise that all things they do, they do by choice. Resulting from this newfound joy is kindness and charity to others. Thus a new cycle begins.

            Were all people to embrace the personal ego, live for the self, become artists of every ilk and breed, they would find themselves as well as the world surrounding them in a new, greater state. Society can only be bettered through the very change that in our time it has made its purpose to destroy. Therefore, one must give to others. The truly self centered live by others while acting for themselves. In order for progress to continue, one must live by themselves, which will grant them the contentment needed to act for others.

            The world we live in is a strange one, and our duty is not as present as it should be. For the betterment and good of all, one must live by their own standards, for deviation from the personal ego is not truly living. It is the journey down a volatile and self-centered path that will help none.

Reviews

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I liked the writing. Very well written and it is obvious that you strongly believe what you wrote. I have no problems with grammar or anything of that sort but do remind that the personal ego can also be a problem in itself for the very reason that we ignore anyone else and attain our own goals to our standards at all costs. Societal ego is bad for herding us into prefabricated roles that we might not be happy with. But personal ego can be much, MUCH worse if left to the wrong individual, and that wrong individual finds a group who is weak enough to be molded to share his thoughts. You made a good point.