Posted by cricket on July 28, 2005, at 15:57:53
I read through the Dennett link. He is a clear writer, very good at using metaphors, perhaps a bit too good. I think that sometimes metaphors can be a bit addictive and you wind up trying to squeeze or simplify some complex material into something that fits the metaphor.However, I do think his head of state (mind) metaphor is a good one. He goes on to say “But in some cases the competing fictive-selves are so equally balanced, or different constituencies within her are so unwilling to accept the result of the election, that constitutional chaos reigns – and there are snap elections (or coups d’etat) all the time.”
Well he can say that again.
Right now, I am going through one of those. My director of external affairs (a competent, business-savvy, take-charge personality) is being ousted by a few other parts. Well she suffered a few losses (demotions at work, etc.) and then it seems as if some of the others have been strengthened in therapy.
She is still around but not very strong any more. My therapist seems to think that this is a good thing, that she was one of the parts developed to deal with my mother, and he is glad that this part is less dominant. I am glad too in some ways because I don’t like her (or me as her? Back to the question of whether I am another alter or just a connector). But we don’t know how to function at meetings, social events without her.
Maybe that’s why I am so lonely lately. She managed all my relationships with real people (except my son, my therapist, and you fellow Babblers). I have no idea how to interact with the world without her. She had all the formulas down.
I feel lost and alone. How could anyone other than you guys ever understand?
poster:cricket
thread:534847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050725/msgs/534847.html