Ownership And Sense Of Self

Ownership and Sense of Self
I do believe that ownership is the foundation to a person’s sense of self with possessions whether it is tangible or intangible. You could own a physical object, such as a pair of Jordans and something that only exists in our mind or conscious, such as an idea. All objects that surround us alter our self-identity by giving it meaning and sense.
Plato’s claim still holds value in today’s society with him arguing that owning objects is detrimental to a person’s character. For instance, owning a tangible object such as a knife can be exploited from it’s original use because the simple presence of a knife could alter one’s view on it. It gives the user a sense of destructive power when they are in possession of a knife which can build up and inevitably shape and change the person’s identity. Whenever they are in a situation that isn't in their favor, they abuse the use of a knife to change the tide to their liking, not even noticing that they are
playing god on everyone else’s life when they start to wave their blade around. Whenever the user has a knife handy, they feel superior to everyone around because they alone could decide whether they live or die. A knife is merely a tool that could be used by surgeons to save a life rather than end it. Since to a killer, it is detrimental to their character.
Aristotle’s view on how only concrete objects helps to develop moral character is still true to this date. Responsibility is one of the most frequent gains to a person's moral character and persists with almost every object. In my own experience for instance, a physical object such as a pet dog, though I don’t own it as a slave owner but more of a parental caregiver, automatically gives me the responsibility of caring for him. I would have to feed, house, and treat him as if he was a four legged brother since he is incorporated into the family and I love him dearly. He has grown with me physically and mentally with an addition of gaining responsibility and many other positive traits impacting my personality just with his presence. With my experience and my pet dog Drumstick, I stand behind Aristotle's claim since Drumstick has been influencing my moral character ever since my dad brought him home.
Jean-Paul Sartre connects with Aristotle's view of objects impacting a person’s self identity but he introduced the concept of “owning” intangible things with his explanation of becoming proficient in some skill and knowing something thoroughly also affecting one’s moral character.
This perception also holds true to me since I have been playing basketball ever since the first grade. I “own” the skill of the euro step and the crossover since I have it implemented into my motor skills and my memory. I own it because I know it, remembered it and experienced it myself. I learned it and mastered it and no one will take it away from me except myself. I could inevitably lose it over time when I forgot how to do that euro step or crossover and stop playing basketball since I no longer “own” it. It is an overview to my overall concept of myself and my life since it shapes who I am. All of my moral character is in the head where most of the intangible items are stored because the brain controls
everything.
To conclude, Plato, Aristotle, and Sartre gives us all a reason to answer the question, “What does it mean to own something?” Being a tangible or not, the act of owning something does impact and affect one’s self identity, person’s character and moral character with it present in the one’s mind or an in-hand possession.