Who am I? A conversation about self-definition and identity

Many of us have struggled at some point in our lives with a question of self-identity and self-definition. Tonight we will be considering the why's and wherefore's of who we are.

1. When you think of yourself, what is the first thing that comes to mind in terms of your self-definition?
   2)In terms of personality traits, at what point does interest become obsession? Why?
2. The Ship of Thebes thought experiment questions that if a ship is replaced plank by plank during a voyage, is it the same ship upon its return. Since our skin cells are constantly being replaced over time, and since some of our brain cells inevitably die, can we even BE the same person from moment to moment? Why or why not?
3. Do you define what your "pronouns" are in certain situations? Why or why not?
4. At what age do you think that it is appropriate to introduce concepts of sexual identity and gender identity to children? Why?
5. How many distinct personas have you cultivated (e.g. "online" versus "office" versus "with family" versus "with friends")? Why do we do this?
6. Have you ever deeply pondered who you are and why you are as you are? Why or why not?
7. How much do you believe that one's environment shapes one's self definition? Why?
8. Is a person's self definition wholly personal or is it an amalgamation of the views also held by others? Why?
9. Can ignorance of one's true self be bliss? Why or why not?
10. How often can a behaviour be exhibited before it is considered to NOT be "out of character"?
11. Was Socrates correct in saying that a life without Philosophy, ("an unexamined life") is not worth living? Why or why not?
12. Are your actions tied to your self, or is your self a result of your actions? Why?
13. Do you perceive a difference between "yourself" and "your self"? If so, what is it?
14. Do you think that someone indicating their pronouns at the bottom of an email is just virtue signalling? Why or why not?
15. Do you think that you have a different identity than you had when you were 10 years old? How about when you were 20? If so, how? If not, why not?
16. If a five year old child chooses to identify as a cat should that be accepted? How about a 10 year old? A 15 year old? A 20 year old? Why or why not?
17. If a five year old child chooses to identify as non-gendered, gender-fluid or non-cis-gendered should that be accepted? How about a 10 year old? A 15 year old? A 20 year old? Why or why not?
18. If a five year old child asks for gender reassignment surgery should that be accepted? How about a 10 year old? A 15 year old? A 20 year old? Why or why not?
19. Do you have an issue with using "non-standard" or "non-cis-gendered" pronouns for someone? Why or why not?
    *** BONUS QUESTIONS ***
20. What, for you, is the "unquestionable you"? Why?
21. Is sexuality necessarily a part of one's identity? Why or why not?
22. If you emerge from a Star Trek transporter are you the same person who entered it? Why or why not?

I hope that you will join us for this discussion.
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Given the success of this format we are going to be continuing to gather via Zoom. We will be allowing up to 30 participants for this meeting and, after a brief introduction, we will be splitting off into virtual "tables" of six.

As long as you have RSVP'd before 5:30PM on the day of the event you should receive an email from Robert prior to 6:30PM giving you the Zoom meetup credentials.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
If you are a member of Table Conversations and you didn't receive an email announcing THIS Table Conversations meetup then you likely won't receive the email with the Zoom information on the evening of the event. Please confirm that your Meetup.com profile is configured correctly by carefully following the step-by-step instructions in this link: https://www.meetup.com/tableconversations/events/270360456/
Otherwise, since I don't control Meetup's mail system, if you are not receiving notifications please contact Meetup.com for assistance.
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* Room opens at 6:45PM (often earlier) for socialization
* Discussion starts at 7:15 and finishes at 8:45ish
* Keep talking until dawn!