On Being Authentic by Charles Guignon - Essay Example

On Being Authentic by Charles Guignon In the first chapter, the explicitly retorts concerns about the culture of the truthfulness of origins, commitments, and sincerity in devotion, especially in American history. In this chapter, the author gives information on the old-fashioned beliefs which are still eminent in society. Some people are conservative with such beliefs and go to extent of maintaining these beliefs (Guignon, 3). However, the author states that the American culture has been shaped by the gradual change in the culture of authenticity.

People are developing the culture amidst change, to make a better approach to the current world. The author reiterates that American culture and authenticity have been developed by religious origins. Religion is considered to be the most outstanding approach to the American authenticity culture, as many philosophers have observed. For instance, some American philosophers have initiated their activities in American history, claiming that they have been heeded by a “higher calling.

” In light of this statement, re-known religious Dr. Phil states that he works and initiates activities if he feels they are logical (Guignon, 6). If he does not feel the logic behind these activities, then there is no need to attend to such. In seconding the religious inductions in authenticity, the author states that Oprah is a re-known American, who is guided by religion in his endeavors. She states that she has the church within herself. This substantiates the bearing of authenticity as strong religion, which makes people successfully attend to their endeavors.

In answering the question, of what kind of life is the one most worth living, being authentic is one of the best-given answers by the author. However, the other point in answering such a question is Simply acting to fully fulfill a person's social and religious duties. In making this a better approach to living, one religious experience needed to generate utter sincerity. This could only be achieved by a person having fully admitted his or her introspection.  With such situations in the developing world, it is considered that the developing world has indeed changed the original; view of authenticity (Guignon, 8).

Therefore, to get a better view of defining a person’s authenticity and how he or she is living, Personal ambition and agendas are to be given a concrete definition. This is by banking on what a person is determined to gain, given the highest scale of attainment. Given all this freedom, it was considered a hard task to fully define the identity of a person since there could be changes with the change in freedom. In the second chapter, the author gives highlight on authenticity culture, as expressed in the St.

Augustine’s book confessions. The most outstanding and ostensible goal in the author’s description is the distinctive modern concept of self. The author states that there must be a clear distinction between the inner person and the outer person (Guignon, 17). The author reiterates that a person has two sides, the inner person and the outer person, each displaying different attributes. In this book, the author insists that a person should know “thyself” better. This is an orientation that will bring a rapport between the outer and inner person, which brings out better developments in living.

In the subsequent chapters of the book, the author gives an insight into the change in view of authenticity, while comparing to earlier philosophers and the current philosophers. The main point of change is in the view that has been adapted by the current philosophers. For instance, the author states that the pre-modern philosophers had a different view in regard to developing issues. Whereas pre-modern philosophers indulged sorts of unrestrained human nature, modern philosophers have generated a sense of developing a strong case, without overreaching to the use of violence.

In the modern philosophical view, indulging violence and brutality in a situation only makes it more complex. Therefore, the distinctive modern concerns have made a clear modern approach to philosophical development, as stated by the author. In conclusion, authenticity has favorable bearings, which are the strongholds of its development. With the initiation of these various developments, it is evident that modern philosophers are creating a modernized approach to authenticity, as compared to pre-modern philosophers.