What We Are, We Are: A Reflection on Identity and Character
Identity can be a complex topic, carrying heavy philosophical weight. But in essence, it boils down to the concept ‘what we are, we are.’ It doesn’t matter the journey that has led us here, the achievements, failings, learned behaviours, or adopted traits; in the end, we are what we define ourselves as.
Taking a lens to that saying and viewing it from different perspectives can give us a deeper understanding of this statement and further enhance our self-perception. Looking at us as individuals, societies, and the human race, can we say that ‘what we are, we are’ is a phrase that captures the essence of being?
A person is a collection of behaviors and attributes that make them unique; they are shaped by their surrounding environment, upbringing, experiences and much more. This leads us to question ‘What determines who we are?’ Is is our biology and genetics that defines us? Or are we more shaped by our experiences, the culture we are part of, and the people we surround ourselves with?
Many believe it is a combination of both and this philosophical query heavily ties in with the concept ‘what we are, we are’. While biology and genetics lay the foundation of who we are, experiences, culture and society play a vital role in shaping that into something unique, making each one of us, truly distinct.
Our societies influence our identity too. Cultural norms, values, and traditions sculpt and mold us. This collective shaping brings us to understand behaviors, expectations, and etiquettes, which in turn forms a collective identity. Thus ‘what we are, we are’ can be looked upon as a reflection of our social, cultural, and economic environment.
Applying the phrase to humanity at large brings about another understanding. As a species, we’ve grown, transformed, learned, and advanced. Along the way, we have caused harm, destruction, war, and inequality. However, we have also been creators, innovators, peacemakers, and believers in justice and equality. Accepting humanity with its the faults and merits, ‘what we are, we are’ represents a realization of our collective existence and is a call to embrace, learn, and grow.
Consider the example of determining the knitting yarn price. Just as pricing is influenced by the quality and type of yarn, the market demand and competition, we are influenced by various factors in our lives. Sometimes we might struggle to determine our own worth, but just as the knitting yarn price doesn’t define the value and warmth a knit sweater can bring, our perceived value doesn’t define our worth.
The acceptance of ‘what we are, we are’ is an acceptance of reality, an embrace of the present. Our past cannot be changed, future is uncertain but present is real and within our control. Like mentioned earlier, while this philosophy grants validity to our existence, it’s equally a call to self-betterment, embracing challenges to grow and become the best version of ourselves.
Thus, ‘what we are, we are’ serves both as an understanding of our place in the world and an encouragement to strive for transformation.
