We each harbour multiple Personalities.

Following on from the session we had about multiple personalities, it’s interesting that whilst we found it difficult to agree on certain definitions (identity, personality) some things did transpire. 

So I think that we agreed that in our youth the experience was that yes we have multiple identities and were not simply wearing different hats. 

The difference between the two is that “hat” here denotes a role that you play- and is characterised by volition, that you choose to put on that hat- whereas a change in identity happens unconsciously. 

I would say that early in life we are socialised into recognising authority, and adjusting our behaviour to fit. 

In youth when we are amongst our peers, the bounds of what was acceptable behaviour in the past are stretched, so that then we experience a dichotomy. And we become adept at knowing what is acceptable and unacceptable depending on circumstance, so much so that our character seamlessly changes when we transition circumstance between home, school and the mutual company of our peers. 

Here what appears is the start of multiple personalities or identities. 

And then as we age, we gain authority and once again the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour change, and if we are not careful then we become adept at using our authority to the extent that we may even become sociopaths. 

This fear of authority never really leaves us, but it does get sudstituted by those we deem our betters. 

It is interesting here to quote Shakespeare, (foremost) “to thine own self be true”. 

I think that we all agreed that this sentiment is something to be tried for. 

It is interesting that Shakespeare got one of his characters to advice his audience, and us here, not to play a part- not to adjust your behaviour to satisfy your audience- but to be true to your own self first. A single identity that is true to yourself. 

And my question here is that it appears to me that in order to be true to oneself requires the acceptance of a greater authority that does not change with time, that is the Everliving, the Most Gracious?