Slide 12 - Media, the Internet and the Self

Question 1

Taylor’s account of the ‘self’

Answer 1

The self isn’t merely subjective perceptions or a social phenomenon

The self is the voice of nature within which gives us our moral sense

Question 2

Malaise

Answer 2

A malise is a general feeling of discomfort or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify

Question 3

Taylor’s account of the three malaises

Answer 3

• Excessive Individualism
• Instrumental Rationality
• Soft Despotism

Question 4

• Distorted Individualism

Answer 4

• Creativity
• Originality
• Opposition to conventions even extending to morality

Question 5

Authenticity

Answer 5

• Required that we develop our unique characteristic
• Openness to the horizons of significance
• Self-definition in dialogue
• Moral discourse

Question 6

How does Mcluhan say that media is changing our identity?

Answer 6

• When you don’t have a physical body, you have a different relationship with the world around you
• Everyone is under surveillance
• Rapid communications over vast distances results in a loss of individuality
• Ordinary people become violent if their identity is under threat