Michel suspects people have multiple 'selves'. What do you suppose he means? If you agree with the statement, how have your many 'selves' been different from each other?

Michel says that the father he knew was his 'second self,' and that he suspected people have 'first selves and second selves and perhaps third, fourth and fifth selves and many more in between.' What do you suppose he means? If you agree with the statement, how have your many 'selves' been different from each other?

On the most simplistic level your “self” probably changes as you grow older. Certainly my college self was much different from my newlywed self, my parent self, my senior self, and my grandmother self. I think the in between selves could be periods of reflection on past selves; whether we learn from these reflections or build on them is so personal. Many people choose to not look back. In that case maybe your selves are not very different from each other. I think the way I see my “selves” necessitates their differences as phases in my life.

I equated this with the different "hats" that I wear... wife, mom, daughter, friend, worker... I have the same self as the core, of all of these roles, but actions are different for all of them. And certainly, through time, my self has changed considerably...experiences and relationships make us ultimately who we are in the end.. so my self has changed through time and experience as well as the different roles I have played.

I agree with Knitter, that we change as we get older, and each stage of growth could be considered another self. However, I also think that we are different selves at any given point in time. Many times people are different with different people. We are different with our families than we are with our co-workers, or with our friends, etc. I know for myself, I don't show every part of my personality to everyone.

I believe that when he mentions 'selves' he is referring to the changes we made as we mature. Everyone changes as they age. Quite often people made changes during a traumatic event or time, which could also be referred to as a different self.

There are many facets to each and every human. Our circumstances, experiences, family, friends, choices we make all contribute to the 'selves' we inhabit.

I am not sure that everyone does change “selves” at least in an over all sense. Agree that in different roles we can respond in a variety of ways. A person may be gregarious with friends yet closed with family. This story reminds me of people that feel the spark of change, the FIND ME moment. Falling into the wonder of it all.