"Educating the mind, without educating the heart, is no education at all"
- Aristotle
September 11 Reflection
Alter ego is Latin for “the other I.” It refers to a person’s second self or identity that is different from a person’s normal personality. A person who has an alter ego is said to lead a double life. Alter ego is also used to refer to the different behaviors any person may display in certain situations.
The idea that people could have “another self” was first recognized in the 1790s. Franz Anton Mesmer, a German doctor, used hypnosis to separate his alter ego. Under hypnosis, Mesmer showed a behavior pattern that diverged from the personality he had in his waking state. It was as if a completely distinct character had developed in the altered state of consciousness, but in the same body.
Directions- view the following clips of popular, modern examples of this concept of “alter egos.” After viewing, respond to the questions below.
1. The Incredibles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gis2-N6HZgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpkuw3ztPQE
2. Beyonce- Sasha Fierce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AA5G8vCl9w
3. Hannah Montana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW2e3BJBsV8
4. The Amazing Spider Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pD2vZ28a3E&list=PLPHVGM3Rq9U-hgYNH6tWFKBb9XeYmwef7&index=9
Response Questions
From the above examples, think about why an individual might choose to have an alter ego. What might this suggest about a person’s identity?
Stanley eventually receives an alter ego, “Caveman,” just like the rest of the boys in Group D. Why do you think all of the boys rename themselves at Camp Green Lake? How is Stanley similar to and different from “Caveman?” Do you think Stanley likes his alter ego?
The idea that people could have “another self” was first recognized in the 1790s. Franz Anton Mesmer, a German doctor, used hypnosis to separate his alter ego. Under hypnosis, Mesmer showed a behavior pattern that diverged from the personality he had in his waking state. It was as if a completely distinct character had developed in the altered state of consciousness, but in the same body.
Directions- view the following clips of popular, modern examples of this concept of “alter egos.” After viewing, respond to the questions below.
1. The Incredibles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gis2-N6HZgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpkuw3ztPQE
2. Beyonce- Sasha Fierce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AA5G8vCl9w
3. Hannah Montana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW2e3BJBsV8
4. The Amazing Spider Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pD2vZ28a3E&list=PLPHVGM3Rq9U-hgYNH6tWFKBb9XeYmwef7&index=9
Response Questions
From the above examples, think about why an individual might choose to have an alter ego. What might this suggest about a person’s identity?
Stanley eventually receives an alter ego, “Caveman,” just like the rest of the boys in Group D. Why do you think all of the boys rename themselves at Camp Green Lake? How is Stanley similar to and different from “Caveman?” Do you think Stanley likes his alter ego?