FREE ESSAY ON AUTHENTICITY: CHARLES TAYLOR ETHICS OF AUTHENTICITY

AUTHENTICITY: CHARLES TAYLOR ETHICS OF AUTHENTICITY

In The Ethics of Authenticity Charles Taylor makes a radical claim that we only become
capable of understanding ourselves and defining our identity through dialogue. He says
humans are fundamentally dialogical creatures (29) and cannot develop into individuals
without interaction with others. Through dialogue we are able to exchange our ideas with
others and construct our values and beliefs from bits and pieces we hear. This is how we
become authentic humans. Authenticity is being true to yourself. It almost seems
paradoxal; to discover your individuality you must converse with others. Charles Taylor
also believes that some lives are better than others, based on how authentically a life
is lived. In modern society, where soft relativism prevails, this view is often seen as
unacceptable. Current thought seems to be that lives are all equal; in fact the choices
we face have neither a right nor a wrong answer. Charles Taylor believes this causes
people to become self absorbed, and can bring about a loss of meaning in their lives. 
Socrates is also a believer in the value of dialogue. In fact all of his teachings are in
the form of a conversation. Through dialogue Socrates can challenge the idea of those he
talks to. The challenging of ideas is the most important part of dialogue because it
forces you to defend your ideas, and therefore realize what exactly it is that you
believe. If you approach a philosophical conversation with an open mind, conflict can
either strengthen your belief, or cause you to modify your former beliefs to something
that works better for you. 
Oedipus is given ample opportunity to engage in dialogue. However, when Oedipus talks to
others, he only listens to what he wants to hear. When Teiresias tries to tell him the
truth, he becomes angry and says, And who has taught you the truth? Not your profession
surely. (25). Instead of trying to understand what Teiresias is saying, he immediately
discards it because it does not fit into his plan to pull Thebes out of the plague. He is
unwilling to engage in true dialogue, because he is afraid that it might cause him to
question his own beliefs. Oedipus is not living his life authentically; he is not being
true to himself. In his arrogance he believes himself greater than he really is, and this
prevents him from truly seeking his own individuality. Oedipus becomes so caught up in
himself that he cannot see his own shortcomings. This prevents him from truly knowing
himself. 
When he goes to the oracle at Delphi to ask who his parents are, he does not follow the
advice inscribed above the gate, Know Yourself. His lack of self-knowledge leads to a
lack of interest in dialogue. If he had known himself going into the oracle, he would
have realized that running from his fate would solve nothing. Had he been more secure
with his individuality and allowed himself to engage in conversation he might have
avoided his ultimate demise.
Dialogue is essential if we want to be truly capable of defining ourselves as
individuals. Finding out own authenticity leads to what Taylor would define as a better
life. Oedipus misses out on the good life because he cannot engage in the dialogue
necessary, and ends up being destroyed. 
Bibliography
Charles Taylor the Ethics of Authenticity