ENGL 298 B: Intermediate Writing Social Sciences   Autumn 2011, University of Washington

                In terms of the ideas of thin and thick self’s, at first glance I would characterize Goldman as a thin self.  She argues for individual freedom and the right to choose; for the fight against the coercion forced upon the masses by the government.  Goldman argues against society, against materialism, against the violence in which is brought by this government.  Conversely, the thick self works to take away the personality and autonomy of the individual by giving the individual roles which envelope the individual and make their autonomy obsolete.  The thick self constricts the individual freedom in which is vital for man; this individual is defined by his commitments and is bullied into submission towards a society where the benefits are outweighed.  Goldman would also critique the thick self in the sense that it works to better the collective governing structure – something in which Goldman would never support. 

Goldman would argue that the thin self is vital because it allows oneself to be free from oppressive higher powers such as religion, property and government.  This is done through the thin self’s ability to choose its commitments and therefore resistance against doing anything in which one would otherwise not do.  Being a free individual and thus being able to decide what commitments take precedent over others is of large importance to the anarchist philosophy – the thin self is free from the coercion of the government and does not submit to anyone.  In this absence of commitment the validity of religion, property and government is voided and the individual cannot be coerced.