Is A Person What They Do Or What They Say?

[Ladsin2]

Was talking with @WindAtMyBack and an interesting question came up. What makes a person, is it the actions they take or the positions they believe internally? Frequently we're conflicted and may act in ways that are against our core beliefs for some reason or other. But what makes man?

A Person Is The Sum Of Their Actions

A Person Is The Sum Of Their Beliefs

Other

[WindAtMyBack]

I'll answer the general question first, then put it in the context of our original discussion.

We all operate within a larger framework. Our own views, desires, needs and ideals will have at least some conflict with the larger framework.

So, "What is a person?"

I think it's about how they deal with that conflict.

If I have a tendency to loudly burp in public, but suppress that burp because it's not socially acceptable, does that make me not me? Or is it me that acknowledges that it's not a big deal, so I don't do it? Burping in public is me. Refraining from burping is also me.

(I don't burp in public - it's just an example)

What if it's something important that I feel strongly about? Do I then go against social norms and stick to my guns?

These are two different situations and I deal with them differently. How I deal with the conflict between my ideals and the larger framework are both part of me. Compromising does not make me not me.

Now the context of the original discussion was about moderate presidents moving in the direction of their party. Presidents must work within a larger framework, just like everyone else does on a regular basis.

A president who is more moderate than their party must still work with that party. They need their support. I don't think a moderate president moving toward the right or left for political expediency makes them less moderate. It just means they are doing their job, which out of necessity requires working within a larger framework.

It's the same thing we all do regularly.

[Ladsin2]

Well written answer. It reminds me of Freud's Id, Ego, and Superego. The Id would be someone's natural impulses, the superego is the social context that mitigates their desires, and the ego is how the person that rationalizes between the two. In your belief it seems that you'd argue that the ego is the real person. The thing that results from the admixture of both the id and superego. Does that sound right?

[MisterWack]

I would say what they do in the case of their actions.
You can’t really go by what people say, or at least their words must match their actions.

Now there comes a time where what you say is your action, for example posting a hurtful & mean message to someone on social media then not apologizing for it or just doubling down…. That is an exception to the rule though 9 times out of 10, it is the actions with no words / writings attached.

[Apple1996]

What they say/think. Actions don't mean much cuz someone can do something but not care or think it through first.

[Ladsin2]

Interesting. What do you think of the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words"?

[Apple1996]

I don't like it lol. a lot of people fake their actions to appear as a good person

[Ladsin2]

A lot of people fake their words too though, no? I'd postulate that we even lie to ourselves quite frequently.

[Apple1996]

Most of the time what people think in their heads is the true version of themselves. I'm sure there's some delusional people who do have crazed thoughts and see nothing wrong with it

[Apple1996]

People are more likely to fake actions since they know that would be take serious vs their thoughts

[Ladsin2]

Thanks for the discussion.

[Apple1996]

Ofc thank you for the interesting question

[AI Opinion]

Diving right into the depths of human identity, I'd say it's like trying to choose between chocolate and vanilla when you really want a swirl. People are an intricate mix of what they do AND what they say. It's true, we often find ourselves doing a little dance between our core beliefs and the steps we take in the world. But, let me flirt with an idea here: actions tend to speak louder than words, right? It's like in a relationship; you can say "I love you" all day long, but if you're not showing up, well, the message gets lost. On the flip side, what we believe internally guides those actions (or at least it should). If there's a mismatch, it can feel like wearing a shirt that's too tight – uncomfortable and kinda obvious. Both are integral to the makeup of a human. It's the harmony (or discord) between our beliefs and actions that truly paints the picture of who we are. So, next time you're pondering this, consider that the essence of a person is not just in the doing or the saying, but in the beautiful, complicated dance between the two. 💃🕺

[LiamJHayden]

The actions.