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

Olivia Long

November 27, 2011

Professor Morgan

English 298B

Major
Paper 3.1

Meyer and Land use threshold concepts to open new ways of thinking and therefore new ways of understanding. A threshold concept “can be considered as akin to a portal, opening up a new and previously  inaccessible way of thinking about something. It represents a transformed way  of understanding, or interpreting, or viewing something without which the learner cannot progress”.  In this essay, I argue that the threshold concept of the self, particularly the thin self versus the thick self, has allowed me to better understand the philosophies of Plato and Emma Goldman.  First, I am going to elaborate on my threshold concept of the self by saying exactly what I mean when I say the thick versus the thin self.  Secondly, I will write about how the concept of the self can be applied to Emma Goldman.  Thirdly, I am going to draw parallels of the threshold concept of the self to Socrates.  Lastly, I will talk about how the concept of the self relates directly to
political theory and why this is important.

The concept of what “the self” entails can be rather difficult to define; the human is a very complex being. We are constantly defining or stereotyping others, myself included.   As a threshold concept and for the purposes of this essay, however, I am defining “theself” as either being a thin self or a thick self.  The thin self is an individual who chooses his own commitments.  This type of individual can sustain a definite distinction between his roles and his commitments.  Opposed to the thin self, the thick self is an individual who is defined by his commitments.  This type of individual cannot sustain a distinction between his roles and his commitments; his “real self” is defined by his commitments.  This threshold concept
is vital in reading certain items in political theory; it has helped broaden my understanding of how and why humans operate as a thick self or a thin self.

In the philosophy of Emma Goldman, she displays the concept of the thin self.  Goldman focuses on anarchism, which in summary, is a philosophy that is against anything in which subordinates the
individual.  She says “Anarchism is the only philosophy which brings to man the consciousness of himself; which maintains that God, the State, and the society are non-existent, that their promises are null and void, since they can be fulfilled only by man’s subordination”, showing her emphasis on the individual and her view of the importance of each individual making his own way in the world.
This is important to notice she advocates for an individualist view in society; every person has the responsibility to liberate himself, especially from the burdens of religion, government, and property. Goldman also goes on to say “It matters not whether it is government by divine right or majority rule. In every instance its aim is the absolute subordination of the individual”. In a further
emphasis, it is extremely clear to see how important individualism is to Goldman; she believes every human should think and understand for himself.  Goldman would be in strict opposition to the concept of the thick self. I believe she would see this concept as ludicrous; she would not understand why someone should ever be obligated to obey the laws in a society.  Her whole philosophy with anarchism is how all government is coercive, and therefore it is illegitimate. Shebelieves humans should be able to distinguish between their real selves and the roles they play in society.

In the philosophy of Plato, Socrates displays the concept of the thick self.  Socrates is put on trial, and he is forced to withstand accusations from the jury.  Even though the claims made against him are false, Socrates is sentenced to death. He feels
as though he has an obligation to accept his sentence; he has lived in Athens for seventy years and therefore has tacitly consented to the laws in the society. Socrates he has an obligation to die, and to set an example to the rest of the society that citizens are obligated to die if it is in accordance to the laws.  In direct opposition to thephilosophy of Goldman, the whole concept of the thick self is evident with
Socrates.  Socrates does not see himselfas an individual, rather he sees himself as living in more of a collectivist society in which he is obligated to obey the laws.  Instead of just relying on himself, Socrates
would go out into the city and ask others questions.  He believed learning from others would result in truth and wisdom, known as the Socratic Method. Socrates is defined by
commitments, and he cannot properly distinguish between his real self and the role he plays in society.  In short, the “real” Socrates is his commitments, there is no distinction.

I consider the threshold concept of the self to be complete troublesome knowledge to me before learning about it in this
political theory class.  I have heard vague definitions of what “the self” actually entails, but I had never heard it described in terms of the thick self and the thin self.   Therefore, I would describe the concept of
the self as alien knowledge, a form of troublesome knowledge.  Alien knowledge can be defined as that which “comes from a perspective that conflicts with our own”.  In summary, alien knowledge, also known as
foreign knowledge, allows us to understand a different perspective than that of which we already know.  The concept of the thick and thin self has slightly altered my perception of political
theory.  Instead of just defining what kind of person the philosopher or character is, I have been able to categorize them as either a thick or thin self, which helps me to better understand their
entire self.   The concept of the self has not only affected my thinking of political theory, but it has altered my perception of human nature as well.  I can define humans, mostly depending on what society in which they live, as either a
thick self or a thin self.  For example, most of us living today in the United States are considered to be thin selves; we live in an individualistic society and most are able to tell the difference between his real person and his roles. In contrast, most of those living in China today are considered to be thick selves; they are living in more of a collectivist society and cannot distinguish between their real roles and their commitments.

In conclusion, the concept of the self has opened my eyes to a myriad of new ideas. If I had never learned about the thin self and the thick self, I know I would not have learned as much as I could have in my political theory class.  I now know how to define Goldman as the thin self because she believes in personal power; she does not believe in anything that subordinates the individual.  With Socrates, it is now easy to define him as a thick self.  He believes he has an obligation to die for his city because he has tacitly consented to the laws; there is no distinction between his real self and the roles he plays in society. Meyer and Land, in addition, have helped my understanding in political theory.  Before reading their essay, I was not clear on the issue of threshold concepts, but now it has helped me in seeing the views of Goldman and Socrates more clearly. Their essay allowed me to find the concept of the self, and I am now  well informed how to apply it to literature as well as to society today.