selves
Who we are
Selves is the plural of self, referring to the individual identities or essential natures of multiple people.
It appears most often in compound forms like ourselves, themselves, and yourselves, where it emphasizes that the subjects are acting on or for their own persons.
Outside these compounds, selves typically appears in philosophical or psychological contexts discussing multiple aspects of identity: We contain multitudes—many selves competing for expression.
Assumed public identities
- identitiesWhat makes each unique
- alter egosAlternate personal identities
- personalitiesIndividual character traits
- aspectsDistinct elements or sides
facets · psyches · fragments · parts · split personalities · avatars · incarnations · manifestations
Quality of being singular
- distinctivenessQuality of being distinguishable
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
- originalityNovel creative quality
singularity · nonconformity · differentiation · idiosyncrasy · unconventionality · diversity · personal identity
One's self-image
- personaAssumed public identity
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- personhoodStatus as a person
- characterNature, symbol, or role
State of sentient awareness
- egoOne's self-image
- soulInnermost animating essence
- mindSeat of consciousness
- subjectMatter under discussion
being · existence · essence · phenomenology · ontology · dualism · solipsism · existentialism
Probing one's innermost feelings
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- inner journeyPsychological or spiritual exploration
personas
Assumed public identities
- identitiesWhat makes each unique
- alter egosAlternate personal identities
- personalitiesIndividual character traits
aspects · facets · psyches · fragments · parts · split personalities · avatars · incarnations · manifestations
uniqueness
Quality of being singular
- distinctivenessQuality of being distinguishable
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- independenceFreedom from external control
originality · singularity · nonconformity · differentiation · idiosyncrasy · unconventionality · diversity · personal identity
ego
One's self-image
- personaAssumed public identity
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- personhoodStatus as a person
consciousness
State of sentient awareness
subject · being · existence · essence · phenomenology · ontology · dualism · solipsism · existentialism · personal identity
soul-searching
Probing one's innermost feelings
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
selvesgroup
Assembled collection of things
community · collective · whole · herd · crowd
selvesothers
Different people, things
other people · them · outsiders · strangers · everyone else