The Background of the Genesis of the Self

The genesis of the self is contingent on social interactions, especially the conversation of gestures between animals.
These interactions require a cooperative environment where responses to stimuli prompt further actions.

Definition: Gestures are communicative actions that elicit responses from others.
Cooperative Activity: The starting act of one organism serves as a stimulus that prompts a corresponding response in another organism.
Stimulus-Response Interaction: This back-and-forth leads to a completed act, which represents the conduct emerging from these interactions.
Lack of Self-Reference: Initial gestures do not reference the individual organism itself, lacking a conscious self-reference.

Certain gestures not only affect others but also influence the individual’s self-response, facilitating self-reference.
Language as Significant Symbol: Language enables an individual to derive meaning from gestures, fostering recognition of their significance.

The distinctiveness of human social environments arises from the process of communication, particularly through the triadic relationship of gestures:
- Gesture of one organism → Adjustive response by another → Completion of the act (meaning).
The response by another organism lends meaning to the gesture, emphasizing the importance of social context in understanding self and actions.

Thinking Process: Engaging in thought processes necessitates symbols (language, physical forms) that refer to concepts.
Universal Nature of Symbols: Any meaningful utterance made must carry a universal character; it must evoke similar responses across different individuals:
- Communication relies on shared interpretations of symbols.
Symbol Universality: Symbols must be capable of calling forth the same mental responses in another as they do in the originator.

Much of conversational speech does not elicit identical emotional responses in the speaker and the listener.
Roles in Communication: Engaging in emotional communication (bullying, acting) typically doesn't lead to self-induced responses as it does for others.
Actor vs. Audience: In artistic expression, like that of poets, creators consciously select language aiming to evoke emotions experienced internally.

Poetry and Emotion: Creation can involve significant delays between experience and expression, where poets may contextualize emotions long after their initial experiences.
Expression vs. Immediate Experience: Genuine expression grows from memory rather than direct emotional spontaneity.
- Poetic challenges often arise from finding appropriate language that captures felt experiences.

Play significantly contributes to recognizing the distinction between one's self and external actions.
Imaginary Companions: Children often engage with invisible friends, reflecting responses and organizing their actions through imaginative play roles.
Children emulate behaviors of adult roles (mother, policeman) in their play, indicating an early understanding of societal roles.

**Differences in Interaction:
- Play: Characterized by free association, where roles may not be rigidly defined.
- Games: Emphasizes structured roles where players must understand the dynamics and designated actions of others involved.
Organized Games: Games require that children comprehend and embody multiple roles, fostering complexity in social interactions.
Example: In hide-and-seek, communication and shared roles are essential for effective play, requiring organization of responses in a manner reflective of social rules.

Children’s responses evolve from unstructured play to organized interactions as their sense of self develops. This transition exemplifies the progression from understanding oneself through spontaneous role-playing to structured social engagement.
Implication: The complete development of self entails understanding the roles one plays within social frameworks and reacting accordingly, leading to a more sophisticated consciousness of self.