Horsley’s active choice in constructing an anachronistic social reality disproves to some degree the theory that identity is predetermined by social position. However, some of Horsley’s identity choices generated a specific and partially restrictive lifestyle. As discussed previously in this work, some of his choices were available because of his socio-economic background and gender, producing a contradictory understanding of the influence of structure and agency on identity formation. This identity negotiation afforded Horsley a sin licence for a hedonistic lifestyle spawned of his nihilistic beliefs. One argument is that Horsley’s hedonism was an attempt to fill the meaningless of existence with pleasure (Wynd 2012:144). Conversely, his reflexive
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One favourite is the successful rogue or fool who employs satire to expose absurdities and hypocrisy in social convention” (McAdams 1993:52).
In an extension of Goffman’s theatrical analogy of dramaturgy, it can be argued that Sebastian Horsley’s whole life was a theatre of the absurd. Horsley selected a social field which suited his mythical identity, for the correct setting must be used to give believability to social identity (REFERENCE Goffman …show more content…
This can be difficult for sociologists, who are concerned with hidden structures of power, but transfers well to micro analysis because it focuses on everyday action and interaction. Humans as conscious beings are aware of the meaningless of existence (Sartre 1943:70), therefore create meaning through action, thus action denotes identity. It is part of the human condition to act in a way that formulates identity choice. In the case of Horsley, in existential terms it would be said that he was the dandy. It is not that Humans have no core self but the surface appearance is merely the result of the decisions made by the person: “The appearance does not hide the essence, it is the essence” (Sartre 1943: 2). There is no meaning or true self, humans attempt to create meaning through the active lies lead. Horsley simultaneously revealed this artifice whilst also upholding it by contributing his own art and autobiography. The aspects of his personality which were evidenced in his construction of the dandy were not so much artifice, but surface manifestations of conscious choices within a specific context at any given
One favourite is the successful rogue or fool who employs satire to expose absurdities and hypocrisy in social convention” (McAdams 1993:52).
In an extension of Goffman’s theatrical analogy of dramaturgy, it can be argued that Sebastian Horsley’s whole life was a theatre of the absurd. Horsley selected a social field which suited his mythical identity, for the correct setting must be used to give believability to social identity (REFERENCE Goffman …show more content…
This can be difficult for sociologists, who are concerned with hidden structures of power, but transfers well to micro analysis because it focuses on everyday action and interaction. Humans as conscious beings are aware of the meaningless of existence (Sartre 1943:70), therefore create meaning through action, thus action denotes identity. It is part of the human condition to act in a way that formulates identity choice. In the case of Horsley, in existential terms it would be said that he was the dandy. It is not that Humans have no core self but the surface appearance is merely the result of the decisions made by the person: “The appearance does not hide the essence, it is the essence” (Sartre 1943: 2). There is no meaning or true self, humans attempt to create meaning through the active lies lead. Horsley simultaneously revealed this artifice whilst also upholding it by contributing his own art and autobiography. The aspects of his personality which were evidenced in his construction of the dandy were not so much artifice, but surface manifestations of conscious choices within a specific context at any given