In today's social life, declarations like "become yourself" and "be your true self" are everywhere. People seem to believe that uniqueness and authenticity can only be obtained from within. But is the reality that simple? Canadian thinker Charles Taylor once proposed that the self is not only derived from individual internal perceptions and cognitions but is also formed through our dialogues with others and the reflections within those dialogues. This perspective inspires us to re-examine the process of self-awareness: we do not solely rely on our inner voice to understand ourselves; rather, we construct ourselves more through interactions with those around us and society.

Firstly, regarding the understanding of the "self," modern society generally emphasizes the inner self. This inner self is a pure expression of individuality, suggesting that each person's uniqueness and sense of authentic existence come from internal perceptions and understandings. At this level, people often showcase themselves through personal interests, hobbies, aspirations, and so on. Many methods of self-exploration are also based on this logic, believing that individuals need to delve deeply into introspection to understand their inner needs, emotions, and values in order to find their true selves.

The concept of the "inner self" is widely accepted and revered in daily life. Whether it is self-expression on social media or individual choices in life, many people display their personalities through unique hobbies and lifestyles. Liking a certain music style, choosing a distinctive dressing style, or adhering to a specific dietary habit are all choices people make by perceiving their inner selves. People often believe that only by following their hearts and making choices true to their thoughts can they find the "real self."

However, Taylor's viewpoint challenges this widely accepted notion. He argues that while internal emotions and cognitions are crucial for self-awareness, the process of constructing the self is not limited to the internal; it is realized through our dialogues and interactions with others. In other words, our self is not completely independent of the external world but is formed through continuous communication, feedback, and reflection.

This perspective reveals an important dimension of self-awareness: social interaction. In our dialogues with others, we receive external feedback about our behaviors, values, and emotions. For example, when you discuss a topic with a friend, their reactions may influence your views on that topic. You might reflect on your opinions and even change how you see yourself. This reflection through dialogue not only helps us understand the outside world but also allows us to re-examine and recognize ourselves.

Another significant impact of social interaction is that it shapes our self-identity. We often understand ourselves through the eyes of others. Whether in the family, workplace, or broader social life, external evaluations, recognition, and feedback can influence our self-perception. For instance, receiving praise from a boss at work may reinforce a person's confidence in their abilities, while doubts from colleagues may lead them to question whether they are truly suited for the job. Through this external evaluation and feedback, our self-awareness is gradually shaped and adjusted.

However, this does not mean we completely rely on others' evaluations to understand ourselves. In fact, there exists a dynamic balance between individual self and social interaction. As Taylor states, the self comes from both internal perceptions and is refined through interactions with the external world. In this process, the inner self and external feedback interact, jointly shaping our self-identity.

This balance is particularly important in modern life. Overemphasizing the inner self may lead to self-isolation, neglecting external influences, and even trapping individuals in self-centeredness. Conversely, overly relying on external evaluations may cause individuals to lose themselves, sacrificing independence in the pursuit of others' recognition. Therefore, finding a balance between the inner self and external feedback has become key to constructing self-awareness in today's society.

This balance is reflected not only in individual lives but also in the construction of social relationships and cultural identities. For example, a person may play different roles in family life: as a child, they need to understand their parents' expectations; as a partner, they need to comprehend their partner's needs. In these different roles, individuals continuously reflect on and adjust their behaviors through interactions with others, thereby finding their own positioning.

At the same time, individual self-construction is also inseparable from cultural and social backgrounds. The cultural environment in which each person exists influences their self-awareness. In different cultures, the ways individuals express themselves and interact socially may vary. For instance, in cultures that emphasize collectivism, people are more inclined to define themselves through their relationships with groups, while in cultures that stress individualism, people focus more on inner independence and autonomy. These cultural differences further illustrate the complexity of the self-construction process.

Although external feedback significantly impacts self-awareness, we still need to be wary of negative evaluations and adverse influences from the outside. In an era of advanced information, social media and popular culture often have detrimental effects on individual self-awareness. Some people overly pursue external recognition, easily getting lost in superficial evaluations and neglecting their true inner needs. Therefore, when interacting with the outside world, individuals need to possess a certain level of critical thinking, able to sift through beneficial information from external feedback to help themselves grow better, rather than merely catering to others' expectations.

Self-awareness is a complex and multidimensional process that relies not only on personal internal reflection but also requires refinement through interactions with others and society. The exploration of the inner self and the reflection on external feedback together constitute our self-identity. Only by finding a balance between the two can individuals maintain independence while actively adapting to changes in the external world in a complex social environment. In this process, we are not only the subjects of self-exploration but also the objects of continuously adjusting self-awareness through interactions with others.

In conclusion, the true self is not merely the voice deep within; it also comes from our dialogues and interactions with others. In modern society, individuals need to learn to continuously refine their self-awareness through introspection and external feedback. Only in this way can we truly become complete and authentic selves while maintaining our uniqueness. This is both a continuation of Taylor's thought and a reflection on how to construct the self in today's society.

图片源于网络