11/05/2004
Al-Ahram Newspaper 2004/MAY /11
Unlike a newborn fish or insect, a human baby is born weak and helpless and cannot survive a single day without relying on others for feed and care. A child can see or recognize himself only through observing the “other.” ( Available in Arabic )
Man starts recognizing himself by comparing himself to the “other”, and thus imitating the actions he likes and distancing himself from what he does not like. The “ego” cannot survive without the “other” who teaches him how to start a career of his own. Every “ego” needs the “other” for assessment and success evaluation, so that it could know its standing among others. Once the “ego” acquires a profession and becomes productive in a specific sphere the “ego” cannot live on its own production alone. In fact, the “other” is more important than the “ego” itself, as without the “other” the “ego” will not find the sustenance to stay alive and every one of us should deal with the “other” from the perspective of this established fact.