To be socratic is when we question information based on what is given or discuss the meaning of a thing based on its definition. If some says 'X,' we would socratically ask, 'what is X?' Deconstruction used here is to break or comparmentalize the thing being questioned into parts that we can socratically question to understand the nature of the thing. If we are given XY, we can deconstruct the thing into X and Y. We are not only able to ask what is XY but also X and Y separately.
Deconstruction of Selves
In our conscious experience, we have different kind of thoughts and self-talk, the voice in our mind. The voice changes style often and is not always the same kind of content which is a resemblance of a shift in attitude or perspective. In the Self-Awareness Tool, the phenomena of the Looking Glass Self is discussed as an internal audience that approves or disapproves of what we are doing or thinking. In the Unity of Self Tool, I discuss how this audience is composed of people who influence us during our lives.
It is important to break down the components of this audience to their properties, their function, potential caused for creation, emotional content, interactions with other selves through coherence or contradiction, and any other relevant ways of dissolving the selves into component parts. We do this with the Socratic Deconstructive method by asking questions of the self pertaining to how the self represents itself.
It is important not to impose additional properties or assumptions in the process of deconstruction. This is why it is called 'Socratic Deconstruction,' for we socratically inquire about the thing based on the essence of the thing not on external or arbitrary properties. If we add additional properties, we are actually constructing a different self, instead of using operations to reduce the existing self into its component parts.
Behaviour
Our behaviour is another large component of ourselves, aside from our internal dialogue, that we can benefit from using the Socratic Deconstruction technique. Sometimes we may not initially be aware of our behaviour but upon reflection, we determine that it was destructive to us or others. We may also recognize that we did not act or do not have habits engrained that would of been to our advantage.
We have the benefit of moulding our habits such that constructive behaviours become automatic. We can use the Socratic Deconstruction technique to better understand our exiting behaviours, good and bad, and build habits from each that will lead us to the outcomes that are most beneficial.
Situations
Situations for which we are unfamiliar is a true test of our character. With our self-awareness, we must determine what actions are most appropriate for the context and will yield a positive result for all people involved.
Situations for which we are familiar have the two sided element of habits we may have created that are beneficial or destructive habits we have not retained control of yet.
Both familiar and unfamiliar situations can be Socratically Deconstructed to determine what elements or social phenomena compose its unique quality. When we engage in a habit of Socratically Deconstructing situations with our Reflective Mind Map, we will begin to increase our self-awareness for future situations and proactively plan in advance how to act.
Values
We are able to assess our selves in terms of behaviour, actions we can take, our internal dialogue using the techniques described in the Revaluation of Values Tool. Some selves may not be to our advantage so we may have to deconstruct those selves to determine what function or representation they are fulfilling, then construct a set of selves that is more in line with the values we have chosen that will lead us to a good life.
AJ 10.2.18, 26.2.18, 4.3.18, 14.3.18, 27.3.20
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