Reality is defined as the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be.(1) Do we create our own reality or do the people and things around us create our reality. Barry Brummett explores the idea that we create our realities in his ontological view of rhetoric. Brummett states “discourse creates realities rather than truths about realties”. (2)In the idea that discourse or conversation is what creates our reality brings many different questions to mind.
There are many people who would say that we can’t change who we are. However Brummetts theory states otherwise. Basically the stories and things we tell others about us define who we are, according to Brummetts theory. However, what if someone makes up their version of who you are? In this case the people around you would be creating a reality for you. You then lose the control to mold your image into what you want people to see you as.
I believe that there are many different components that go into “reality”. There is the physical reality, which is physical objects such as rocks, trees, water, and other physical things on earth. There are those who are a part of your reality, such as mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, coworkers, and even the people around you that you never talk to and possible never will. You are the other component. These are just some of the basics that go in to creating your reality.
I’m going to give you a rough example of how I see all of these components working together. Let’s say someone wants to be known as fashionable individual. They want to create a reality for themselves as a impressionable beautiful person. Here is the catch in this case, what they consider to be beautiful or fashionable, may not be what the people around them think is beautiful or fashionable. Through discourse you might be able to convince others around you that you view is the correct reality. However rather we realize or not the people around us help create our reality. We can create all kinds of stories for ourselves to make people see us they way we want, but there will always be people who create stories about us as well.Although Brummetts theory is a good one I fell that it has too many open variables. It is a great basis with which we can build on to try and understand our realties. I leave with this thought to ponder. How would use the people and things around to help mold and create your reality?
Source for further reading.
1. Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006
2.Three Meanings of Epistemic Rhetoric: Barry Brummett, SCA Convention, November, 1979
1 comment:
I can tell, Melissa, that you have put a good deal of thought into the notion of rhetoric. I especially like the questions you've posted about reality, and how we shape reality.
"However rather we realize or not the people around us help create our reality. We can create all kinds of stories for ourselves to make people see us they way we want, but there will always be people who create stories about us as well."
Yes, people around us also have a gift of discourse to create a reality, but which discourse you consider to be "true" is what you should focus on. This "truth" about yourself will seep out into your being. If you believe you are smart, then you will start to act in a way that is in line with what you believe. And that is the next component of discourse, actions. Our actions are also symbolic and communicate to others around us.
No, we never have full control, but through our discourse, we can have some.
Your last question on how do you use people and things to shape our reality, I would answer that you are doing just that, Melissa, with this blog. You have just communicated to me through this discourse on your blog that you are a keen thinker, and that you don't buy whatever people tell you at face value. That's a start!
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