Set a timer for 15 minutes and free write your response to Galen’s argument. Note specific moments in his essay as you respond. Some things to consider: Have you ever felt impeded by your “life story?” If so, how? Do you feel like it’s truthful or possible to perceive your self as a singular self or can you relate when Galen talks about possessing many selves?
I really did not care for this essay. I hated how Galen argued his stance. He sort of made fun of other people’s opinions and called them and people who think like them stupid. I really did not like how he cluttered his essay with paragraphs upon paragraphs of people whose arguments he found ridiculous or people who he thought had the idea perfect. He came across as one of those people who tries to sound smart all the time but if you really listen to them they’re not saying anything important.
I also did not like how he totally out ruled the idea of narratives. Just because you have a bad memory and aren’t actively thinking about life as a narrative doesn’t mean that you don’t still have a narrative. A narrative is just the ability to take life experiences and tell them in a condensed way. Galen said that autobiographies are different than narratives but I really don’t agree. If you are the type of person who writes out your narrative factually like an autobiography then that is just your interpretation. Galen made people who do think of their life as a narrative as crazy people who have overactive imaginations. That really isn’t the case. Being able to give your life a narrative is a skill most cognitively functioning people have because essentially it is just the ability to interpret your life.
Where does Galen think that these story formats come from if he claims that life never follows them? Sure, our entire life does not follow a “perfect” story but parts of our lives definitely do. Whether it be good or bad, everyone has events that happen to them that follow the build of a story. Also, this format is how we recall events to other people. So essentially if you’ve ever told someone about something that has happened to you, that’s part of your narrative.
I really just didn’t like Galen. I actually got mad while reading his essay. He just seems super condescending and rude. I hated how he talked in circles and tried to use quotes from big literary names to help support his argument. He definitely made use of lots of fallacies in his argument. He definitely overused authority to help prove himself correct. Ugh I did not like this essay at all.
I LOVE this passage of yours: “Where does Galen think that these story formats come from if he claims that life never follows them? Sure, our entire life does not follow a “perfect” story but parts of our lives definitely do. Whether it be good or bad, everyone has events that happen to them that follow the build of a story. Also, this format is how we recall events to other people. So essentially if you’ve ever told someone about something that has happened to you, that’s part of your narrative.”
What an interesting series of thoughts to explore. I felt guilty enjoying your reflection because you expressed such irritation as you wrote it, but I appreciate your candid response.
Keep up the amazing work!