Plotting Your Path

Ricoeur defines identity in two parts: Ipse and Idem.  These parts explain the temporal and permanent human nature which exists in us all. 

Through the Ipse, we experience the world through changing situations and emotions.  We think about ourselves in the moment, through things happening now.  This part of human nature deals with surprises and changing events in our life.  Every day, hour, and moment brings new things to our senses.  We see new faces and places, and we feel differently about all these things.  Our mood shifts with each new environment.

The Idem can be defined as the soul or mind.  It is the sameness within our being that makes us who we are.  I am Ashley Elise Bennett Burleson today and I will be tomorrow too.  This is the part that turns experiences into memories.  It chooses the experiences that are retained and leaves behind the rest.  This is the essential building block of all knowledge.  Learning is a process that would not take place without the Idem.  The learning that takes place shapes us and determines our traits.  It holds those things used to describe us.

Ricoeur argues that the Ipse and Idem come together through plot.  We replay our experiences over and over until we can move past them.  Professor Custer stated that each time we do this, “it hurts a little less and means a little more.”  We seek to derive meaning from things that go on around us.  Behind everything is a purpose.  Even hanging out with friends has meaning.  It is a way to relax and let go of some of the stress we carry around. 

We illustrate the use of plot when a death occurs in our circle of friends or family.  Fond memories are recounted in honor of the life the person lived and shared with those around him.  Plot is used in everyday life all the time.  Just today, my friend Padie and I were joking about things our husbands do.  We tell each other stories all the time of crazy situtations or things that have happened.  This is how we connect with each other.  Sharing memories and experiences in life help us to better understand each other and ourselves.    This is the social aspect that Custer described.  Ricoeur’s explanation of narrative identify requires this aspect as well as that of fiction and imagination. 

Fiction is used as a means to re-write our story.  Most people are handed a script.  We are born into a certain household and community where we are expected to dress and act a certain way.  While some do overcome their circumstances, the wealth of our family defines the material things we will have in our lifetime, at least in our youth.  This may mean the grade schools we will attend, vacations we will go on, the clothes we wear, and the college we attend.  Money is a very restrictive asset in today’s world.  It is the ultimate gateway for most opportunities.  Again, some can overcome this obstacle and work their way out or find funding, but some are confined to their place because of this. 

Those who can rise above this barrier, as well as social and religious barriers, are able to use their imagination to fashion their own story.  This is a hard task, but it can be done.  It is a choice.  For those who want to escape their situation, they must take a risk and change directions in their plot.  It is almost like the books where you can choose the next step.  I think that God does know what will happen to us, but we don’t; we can’t just sit around and let things happen.  God gave each of us a will of our own and a brain to think for ourselves.  We must use them.  The Bible tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  We cannot let others dictate our lives.

In a seperate article, Ricoeur, speaks of forgiveness and justice.  He says that forgiveness is between people while justice is an act of the state.  This applies to our government whose job it is to get justice for the people.  It cannot grant forgiveness to individuals for the crime they have committed.  Only victims can forgive their abusers and release both parties of the pain they feel.  This will not free them of the pain that only time can heal, but holding on to forgivness only prolongs recovery time for the victim.  Also, justice is not always served in punishment.  An eye for an eye does not show love to a criminal who needs to know what was done was wrong and change his mind about the act.  Though not a great analogy, when I discipline my son, I have to let him know that I do so because he has hurt someone by his actions; I also make it clear that I do not enjoy punishing him, but it must be done for him to remember not to repeat his actions.  Criminals must receive their punishment, but they must also rehabilitated through kindness and understanding.