#Relational Identity

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of "Who"

The Philosophy of "Who" explores the fundamental question of personal identity, selfhood, and the nature of the subject. At its core, this inquiry asks: Who are we? — not in the sense of names or roles, but in the deeper, metaphysical sense of what it means to be a “who” rather than a “what.”

Key Themes and Philosophical Dimensions:

1. Selfhood and Personal Identity

Philosophers like John Locke, David Hume, and Derek Parfit have questioned what makes someone the same person over time. Is it memory, continuity of consciousness, or a physical body?

The “who” implies a center of experience, a subject that perceives, thinks, and acts — but defining it is complex.

2. Subjectivity and Consciousness

In phenomenology, particularly in the work of Husserl and Heidegger, “who” relates to Dasein — the being for whom Being is a question. It's about self-awareness and being situated in the world.

Sartre emphasized that the self is not a fixed entity, but an ongoing project — we are always in the process of becoming.

3. Social and Relational Identity

From a sociological and existential standpoint, "who" we are is shaped by our relationships, society, and the roles we play.

Thinkers like George Herbert Mead and Judith Butler emphasize that identity is performative, fluid, and socially constructed.

4. Ethics and Responsibility

In Emmanuel Levinas's philosophy, the "who" becomes a moral question. The face of the Other calls us into ethical relation, reminding us that who we are is bound to how we treat others.

5. Theological and Mystical Approaches

In religious philosophy, "who" is a question directed toward the divine: Who is God? and Who am I in relation to the divine? Thinkers like Augustine, Eckhart, and Kierkegaard explored the “who” as a spiritual journey.

Why This Question Matters:

Asking “who” isn’t just about identity cards or resumes — it’s a lifelong inquiry that influences how we live, what we value, and how we understand ourselves and others. It’s the question behind the mirror, echoing through philosophy, literature, and spirituality.

[raffaellopalandri]

The Myth of the Autonomous Self: A Cross-Cultural Critique of Individualism in Late Capitalism – Part 2

In the previous part of this short inquiry, we unravelled the metaphysical presuppositions and cultural entrenchments of the “self” as conceived by the Enlightenment and capitalist modernity—an atomised, self-possessed entity committed to autonomy, mastery, and linear progress. Photo by Nida Kurt on Pexels.com We contrasted this image with relational ontologies from Buddhist, Stoic, Indigenous,…

[dead-inside-demiboy]

Im sorry but being aromantic and/or asexual is such a beautiful, complex identity that opens up almost endless possibilities and interpretations about sex and romance and relationships and struggles within those,

and i will always absolutely LOATHE how both the outside and the aro/ace community itself have boiled these identities down to just "doesnt have sex" and "doesnt date"

[aroaceleovaldez]

i have suddenly become obsessed with a theme that HoO established but never proceeded to extrapolate on, which is:

You are Percy Jackson, and you have been swapped with a boy who was allegedly everyone's favorite person, but they have decided to replace him with you. They just met you. You stand next to his best friend and the people he's known his entire life. In his home. In his cloak. In his place. They stopped looking for him.

You are Jason Grace, and you have just found out you have a long lost sister who completely replaced you in her life with this girl you just met. Your lives and personalities are mirrors. She is you, living the life you were robbed of.

You are Annabeth Chase, and you have just become starkly aware that you have been inhabiting the void left behind by your best friend's long lost brother. You and Luke were just replacements for him. Now you have to look him in the eyes when he has nothing and know you took that life from him.

You are Piper McLean, and you have just found out your relationship is fake and built entirely on the memories of Annabeth Chase. You have been given a boyfriend when hers has been taken away. You have no idea how much of it is real or not but regardless you feel like if your relationship isn't exactly in their image that you have failed.

You are Leo Valdez, and you have just learned that you are the echo of your great-grandfather. You are not your own person. You just exist to be a mirror of him. A doppelganger. An actor and stunt double facing all the danger he never had to but wearing his face. To be there for his best friend decades later simply because he couldn't. You are playing a role. A seventh wheel and a pawn for a goddess who carefully sculpted your entire life for her own purposes.

You are Hazel Levesque, and the only reason you are alive is because your brother couldn't save your his sister. You are a consolation prize. An apology. Your existence here is misplaced in every way but you inhabit it anyways.

You are Frank Zhang, and you are a shapeshifter. Inhabiting your own body feels strange and clumsy when you could be literally anything at any time. You are anything and everything and live your life with the simple certainty of knowing exactly how you will die.

[babyjaans]

I’m rewatching supernatural, and I can’t believe I never realised this before, but sam and dean are the exact opposite of what they think of themselves. In the brothers’ eyes Sam is the more emotionally open one, or the one with more empathy, and yet he struggles to make close relationships that aren’t romantic. He keeps everyone at arms distance: john, mary, bobby, cas, and so many other examples throughout the series. Whereas dean is supposed to be closed off and emotionally stunted, and yet he has deeper connections with almost all recurring characters: garth, jody, donna, claire (obviously the ones mentioned before). He lets people in more easily than sam. Even how he knows all the shopkeepers in lebanon, whereas they don’t seem to know sam (ie 14x13).

[rocketbirdie]

i don't want to lose you. i don't want to lose this

[lotus-lost-n-found]

Some Batfam Headcanons because the brain never stops;

Jason hates being called "Bruce's Son". But he hates it more when hes called "One of Wayne's Orphans/Wayne's child" because fuck you I'm his son-! wait no--

With the exception of Damian, they rarely refer to Bruce as "Dad/Father". Either it didn't occur to them/didn't see the need to/thought it would be strange. But when Dick/Jason/Tim/Cass are tired or injured it might slip out. And Bruce might just crumble a bit at it

Doesn't mean they don't say it to their siblings when Bruce is out of Earshot.

"Dad said you couldn't." "What do you mean Dad said I couldn't use that mug? It's my mug!" "You snooze you lose Timmy Boy-" "Jason don't be an asshole-"

That being said Bruce says "son/daughter/child" at every available opportunity he can after he knows that they have acclimated enough that they wouldn't be uncomfortable/know they can tell Bruce that they don't want to be called that.

First time Bruce called Dick "son" in a way that meant "You are my kid" and not in a "This police officer just called me son with a brow furrow" way Dick grinned and carried on with the conversation. Later he wondered if his dad wouldn't like someone else calling him Son; but Dick thinks about the life he was given because of Bruce and thinks maybe his dad wouldn't mind.

Calling Jason "son" is a hit or miss situation, even before he died. The first time it happened he was confused, he didnt think that was the relationship they had and it made everything change for him. He got frustrated--not angry--with himself and Bruce at this sudden emotional turmoil. Wasn't he just the kid Bruce picked up in an alleyway? Wasn't he just some street rat in bright Robin clothing? (He lets himself believe that he can be Bruce's son. If for only a little while).

Tim cries after Bruce is out of earshot, it would've been a year or so after his parents died and he was adopted. He didn't think he could have been wanted like that again. Even if you think the Drake's had A+ Parenting or not, I don't think he would have gotten a lot of confirmation of being wanted otherwise.

Cass smiles, emotions carefully concealed under her expression. She's grateful she found Bruce and he doesn't mention it if she leans a bit closer in a request for closeness.

Damian doesn't expect anything less, he only appears satisfied. But also relieved that he has gotten the confirmation that yes, Bruce wants and accepts him.

EDIT 10/11; hiii, i have added Duke, Steph & a Bonus in a reblog you can find on the same blog under my 'batfamily headcanons' / 'sore rambles' tag. have fun :)

[emacrow]

Sam Manson dropped a black credit card on his lap..

"I know what you do in gotham, but you will have to stop temporarily.. until we can find some ground after this.."

She was willing to pay anything because she had heard the stories between him and Walker family and what he does in gotham as a villain. He was incredibly good at hiding from his own family during family reunion, considering he was half related. He was smart enough to nearly best batman, but with a Tucker, her, Jazz, and Jack. They can hide indefinitely until they built another portal after permanently sabotaging the one at the fenton house, Tucker already had the blueprints in a usb port.

Hide them for now, Tucker already making fake ID in the back of the seat, and she'll buy an apartment large enough in gotham. Just help them keep danny safe until they figure out a plan to contact the Justice league after making sure they aren't connected to the GIW.

Edward Nygma stared back at Sam, his eyes narrowing a bit as he held the black card that held more money, he thought, considering it was Danny's inherited by clockwork once he got the throne of the infinite realm, before glancing at the rear view mirror of the car.

"I'm not doing this for you, Jack, but I'm doing it for them." Edward said softly, glancing the side where Jazz was asleep in the passenger seat. Toddler danny, newborn babies, danta was asleep with ellen innocently looking at him with her grayish blue eyes far too similar to Danny when he was born for Edward's comfort.

Edward Nygma would be dead to the world for now. Eddie Mockingbird Walker was back from a long 15-year disappearance after losing The Chopin Competition.

He took a long, heavy breath that nearly stuttered, the old, nearly forgotten memories resurface of soft, smiling elderly Meemaw Gretchen Mockingbird in a baby green blouse sitting in the audience among thousands.

A young Eddie plays his final performance, as the crowd silent only for Meemaw to never stood up like she usually did, remain seat with a soft smile and her eyes close.. then the lady next to her cried out for the ambulance as she was not getting a pulse.

Eddie stared in silent shock of the sudden chaos, waiting and hoping for Meemaw to get up and yell that was her grandbaby Eddie that was going to win this tournament in the middle of his performance like she always did in every single one.

He kept his eyes on the road, tightening his jaw as a single tear drip down his eyes. His arms tightened on the wheels as he ignored his heartache...

Part 2 here <- part 4 -> here

[namelessmisfortune]

ship of theseus, imprisoned at the bottom of the ocean

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of "You"

The philosophy of "you" turns the focus outward from the self to the other—the person being addressed. It explores relational identity, recognition, intersubjectivity, and the ethical implications of encountering another consciousness.

Where “I” is about selfhood, “you” is about relationship. It introduces dialogue, intimacy, accountability, and the irreducible mystery of the other person.

Core Themes in the Philosophy of "You":

1. Ethics of the Other

Emmanuel Levinas argued that the face of the Other ("you") calls the self to moral responsibility.

“You” is not just another object in the world—it is an ethical demand, a presence that interrupts self-centeredness.

2. Second-Person Perspective

“You” involves a direct address. Unlike third-person observation or first-person introspection, “you” assumes interaction.

This perspective is central to child development, communication, love, and moral engagement.

3. Dialogue and Reciprocity

Martin Buber distinguished between “I-It” (objectifying relationship) and “I-You” (authentic presence).

True dialogue happens only when the other is acknowledged not as a role or category, but as a person.

4. Recognition and Identity

Philosophers like Hegel emphasized that the self becomes self-conscious only through being recognized by a “you.”

Identity is thus co-constructed through mutual acknowledgment.

5. Alterity and Mystery

The Other is fundamentally unknowable. You can never fully grasp another’s subjectivity.

Yet, encountering the other (“you”) expands the limits of the self’s understanding.

6. Language and "You"

In language, “you” is context-dependent and shiftable—the person referred to changes with each speaker.

This reflects how relational identity is fluid and situational.

Representative Ideas and Thinkers:

Levinas: Ethics begins with the face of the Other—“you” as the origin of responsibility.

Buber: “I-You” is a sacred relation; “I-It” reduces others to things.

Hegel: Self-consciousness arises through being recognized by another subject—“you” is essential for “I.”

Sartre: The gaze of the Other objectifies me; “you” can alienate as well as affirm.

Wittgenstein: Language use in the second person reflects social life and interaction.

Philosophical Questions About "You":

What does it mean to truly see another person as you rather than an object?

Can "you" ever be known, or only encountered?

Is “you” a mirror of “I,” or something radically other?

How does the existence of “you” shape morality, love, and communication?

Why It Matters:

Every conversation, relationship, and ethical decision hinges on how we treat the "you" in our lives.

The philosophy of “you” reveals that we are not alone, and that personhood is a shared, ethical, and dialogical experience.

[too-many-rooks]

Generally I try to not be bothered by minor historical inaccuracies in KCD fic bc like, who cares! But one that has really stuck out a few times is the hard truth that; Henry of Skalitz has never and will never eat a potato.

It’s a tragedy, I know. This man would love potatoes. But he doesn’t even know they exist 😢

[jesncin]

Hear me out with this one

Martian

But FLUFFY

Fluffy martian is giving wookiee,,,but green,,,

[reimeichan]

Signs of having DID that I ignored (note that these are not exclusively signs of DID but they were for me):

I don't have amnesia, that's just short term memory loss because I have ADHD!

I actually have a very good memory, I'm great at memorizing things (what do you mean that's not the same thing)

sure it may seem like my mood changes drastically but I've read online that's common in people with ADHD! it's hard for us to regulate our emotions!

so what if I have different preferences from time to time? that's normal right? like when your mood changes you may prefer different foods? what do you mean that's not the same as going from "I hate spicy foods" one day to "omg I LOVE spicy foods!" the next?

yeah okay I tend to space out in the middle of conversations then come back to and need you to remind me what you said for the past 10 seconds or so. that's just my ADHD inattentiveness. what do you mean that I only do this when stressed. what do you mean that's a form of dissociation.

speaking of dissociation, sure sometimes I feel like I'm watching myself say and do things without my own input but that's just because I was tired/stressed out

yeah sometimes I go on autopilot. my autopilot seems to have its own agenda sometimes though. weird.

sure I changed usernames a *few* times but isn't that pretty common? yeah I also wanted to change how I presented online and also my pronouns and stuff but again isn't it common for people to want to start over sometimes?

*making multiple accounts to play the same game because I play the game differently on different accounts and don't want to mess things up on one account*

oh yes, I'm genderfluid! I say that because my gender absolutely changes from moment to moment and sure it seems kinda tied to other aspects of myself like color preferences and energy levels and personality traits but I'm pretty sure that's just par for the course with genderfluidity?

"you're so different when you're around your parents vs when you're at school/work vs when you're hanging out with friends!" yeah that's called being a complex person we all have different masks we wear in different social situations and I'm no different even if it seems more extreme for me

"how was school/work/the hang-out/going to visit your parents?" I don't know I'm tired and have a giant headache and can't remember

"you said this to me the other day and it made me feel <x>" what????? I literally have no memory of this and that's so incredibly out of character for me wtf I would never do that I was probably just really stressed out and tired and had no filter on.

[lesbianjackies]

hold my hand and say it with me: jackie taylor is not a femme

[pocchi-poket]

You know, I feel like we're not talking enough about the fact that Alastor has in his room a full reproduction (?) of a swamp-forest that's highly likely very similar to the one where he was killed. Talk about being morbid.

Edit: someone pointed out in the comments that the swamp-forest is called bayou. It's a kind of ecosystem in Louisiana.