It can also mean a relationship, such as "my daughter", "my friend", or "my family". Maybe even "my shadow". This is why saying "my child" is not a claim of ownership over that child, but is an acknowledgement of the relationship I have with that child.
But if a personal relationship isn't about ownership, why then, do we use the word "my" when describing it?
ReplyDeleteI think I know. I think it is a Freudian slip of sorts, a somewhat subconscious analogy(if you will) equating ownership to relationships via rights and responsibilities.
(Rights and responsibility are to ownership
as rights and responsibilities are to interpersonal relationships.)
When you own property, you have a right and responsibility to decide the fate and/or management of it. So when you say "my property", you're also saying "My responsibility and my right".
Perhaps when we say "my" friend/relative/neighbor, we're saying it in recognition of the rights and responsibility we share with said person.
When you say "my child", you're really saying "my responsibility and my right".
Or maybe it's just that the same word describes different things, like "ring" that is jewelry and "ring" that's a sound a bell makes.
ReplyDeleteYeah, your explanation is more likely.
Ya know, Kent, unless I have some obscure thought to share like I have today, I don't often comment on your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt often seems pointless and redundant to comment just to simply say I agree with most everything you say.
BTW, I have to give you equal credit as I do Flag, for waking me up and forcing me(through logic) to break free from the remaining rationalizations and contradictions in my idealism about governance.
It's nice to see things in such a clear and consistent manner.
Thanks, bro.
I'm really glad to have helped.
ReplyDelete