I do not feel the same way as a disabled person does.
Human nature is often driven by a selfish individual perspective, with emotional feelings shaped as social constructs that reflect how an individual is perceived and behaves within society. Inside that social construct, the “I, Me, Myself” drives our inner emotions of happiness, anger, and joy.
The psychologist Sigmund Freud explored this phenomenon through his theory of the human psyche, dividing it into three components: the id, ego, and superego. These components work together to influence human behavior and emotions:
- The Id:
- Represents the primal, instinctual part of the psyche.
- Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification for desires and needs, such as happiness and joy.
- Is inherently selfish and unconcerned with societal norms or consequences.
- The Ego:
- Acts as the rational, conscious part of the psyche.
- Balances the desires of the id with the constraints of reality and societal expectations.
- Manages inner emotions and helps navigate social constructs by aligning personal happiness with acceptable behavior.
- The Superego:
- Represents the moral conscience and internalized societal rules.
- Often in conflict with the id, as it strives for ideal behavior that aligns with cultural and ethical standards.
- Influences feelings like guilt or pride, shaped heavily by social constructs.
Freud’s framework suggests that the “I, Me, Myself” is a reflection of the ego’s negotiation between personal desires and societal expectations. Emotional states such as happiness, anger, and joy emerge as responses to this dynamic interplay. While our inner emotions may feel personal, they are often deeply rooted in the cultural and social frameworks in which we exist. We tend to think that the disabled – the less abled in some aspects of life are not influenced by this, and somehow, we tend to go into that social, medical, generous model of support.
While these emotions and feelings are valid, time and time again, to quote psychologists there are false premises that we as individuals have or keep.
Psychosis and disabled people
The Charity, Mind UK refers to Psychosis as Psychosis (also called a ‘psychotic experience’ or ‘psychotic episode’) is when you perceive or interpret reality in a very different way from people around you. Applying this to our study, it seems humanity may have entered an episodic state, failing to recognize that disabled individuals are human beings, equal in dignity and worth, rather than perceiving them as separate entities. Why?
Why, what, who and where?
Different traditions can have different contexts, but it is the WHO we are interested it in and why? One Reason is power, another reason could be fear, but more importantly it seems like that our emotions are dominated who we are. Yesterday, we had a discussion with someone, who says you and I share the same values, but it might not reflect others? While Freud’s work has been criticized as unscientific in modern psychology, it still offers valuable insights into the interplay between emotions, power, and societal constructs.
Toward a New Understanding
If we aim to break free from this episodic state, we must move beyond outdated perceptions and biases. Recognizing disabled individuals as integral members of our shared humanity requires re-examining the emotions, constructs, and power dynamics that shape our worldview. Only by doing so can we build a society that values equality, inclusivity, and mutual respect.
