Societal Pressures, Language, & Emergence of Identity

language extends far beyond what we typically consider it’s primary use, i.e. communication. in fact the rules that are foundational to all humans and which enable the exchange and propagation of concepts within a society have a deeply subtle yet universally intuitive functionality that is rarely considered in detail. Language, i argue, is primarily used for the purpose of understanding ones own self rather than simply to process the environment or others around us.

inward communication we experience through thought is a reflection of our outward relationship to the world around us and vice versa, meaning external experience is just as well a reflection of mental state.

the emergence of identity is a result of this feedback loop between the mind of an individual and a cultural system in which they are situated. society itself is based on the acceptance of conflict between internal and external spaces and a submission to that which is better for us all rather than what would benefit ourselves alone as individuals. this intersects with a lot of ideas which have to do with the way we interact, such as a predisposition toward conformity wherein the external reinforcement from others triggers the compromise internal goals that are self-directed but which often lead to more destructive outcomes; due to unchecked primitive drives or simply ignorance, wherein the potential for danger is inadequately considered.

the need for society arises when the animalistic qualities which helped previous species survive become maladaptive when the lack of progression in certain realms hinder the progression of other realms which are increasing faster. the ability to think using language and apply that thought in communication is what got us this far, and yet is in direct conflict with many instinctual mechanisms, like aggression for instance, which once allowed us to thrive but now causes strain on the structure of a society making it weaker. as human beings we fundamentally need language to serve as a tool with which to construct identities that are tailored toward certain roles in which an individual functions as a part of a whole, that is, they act in ways that necessarily promote and benefit the collective function of society.