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

I would definitely say that Goldman would have a strong criticism towards the thick self mainly because those being in that role would not be individuals, no longer defined by their commitments and having no clear distinction between the “real me,” and “their roles.” Goldman is all about freedom and in the anarchist lifestyle you […]

I don’t see any reason why Goldman would not like the idea of the thick-self versus the thin -self. The ancient people of the world were very obviously more chained to their roles in life than people typically were in Goldman’s era (early 1900), and I think the idea of individualism versus commitment to society […]

Emma Goldman would clearly favor the thin self as opposed to the thick self. There are however some characteristics that she exploits that are of the thick self. Goldman would want people to be individuals in society and the freedom of people to choose their commitments is very necessary. Goldman would not want the government […]

Emma Goldman would have harsh criticisms for the thick self. The thick self, being defined by its commitments and roles, is the communitarian to the thin self’s individualist. Goldman has little patience for the community as a whole, referring to it as the “ignorant mass” more than once.  She goes on to label those who […]

Goldman would have an incredibly negative reaction to those who believe fully in the thick self. In the debate between the moderns and the ancients, Goldman would definitely be a modern because she believes in the free thinker and the non-conformist. All of Goldman’s ideas point towards the thin self, a free thinking individual that […]

                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 […]

A thick self is not an individual and is defined by its commitments. Goldman expresses clearly in her essay that individuals who live freely chosen lives are essential for anarchism. An individual that lives a freely chosen life cannot be apart of a thick selfhood by definition. Goldman would have a negative reaction to the […]

Emma Goldman would absolutely hate the idea of thick selves. Emma Goldman preaches on individualism and the idea of being “defined by your commitment” is not appealing to Goldman. Emma Goldman would argue that if everyone were being defined by his or her commitments there would be no individual growth. She would say that the […]

Goldman walks a very interesting line between the idea of thick and thin selves. First, she advocates the necessity of “complete individual and social freedom.” This is the concept that man can only flourish if they are now held back by the suppressive and coercive government. So she sees the legitimacy of being a thin […]

After reading Goldman’s piece on anarchism I find my whole conception of anarchism has changed.  Prior, I’d never really attempted to understand it, and to be honest bought in with the stereotypes about the movement and its supporters.  While I wouldn’t call myself an anarchist, I admire their devotion to the cause and insistence on […]