Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces:: Philosophy Forums

Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces:
The Role of the Visual Self in Anxiety

Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces:

Jared592
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Posted 09/01/08 - 12:24 PM: Subject: Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces:	#1
I've just had a thought hit me that I was hoping to get some feedback on. I've found mirrors and other reflective surfaces to have an effect on those around me that is very uniform. That is to say that mirrors and reflective surfaces seem to be correlated with a rise in the feeling of anxiousness, whether the person viewing themselves is happy or unhappy with what they see. It's almost as if the visual data overwhelms any other sensory information and causes the viewer to focus on the self, bringing out of their memory all possible ways they've witnessed others critique physical form. For myself, it seems as though the most productivity and satisfaction is obtained from day-to-day life when the visual self isn't regularly presented to be dwelled upon. Some concepts this could relate with: * body dysmorphic disorder * anorexia * plain camera-shyness Any thoughts or personal feelings are appreciated.

Cuthbert
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Posted 09/01/08 - 11:50 PM:	#2
Perhaps this is partly existential anxiety arising from the reminder that we are objects (beings-for-others) as well as subjects (beings-for-ourselves). We are part of the world as well as actors within it. We are reminded of the possibility of being acted upon by others and treated as objects and this makes us emotionally and physically vulnerable. It's interesting that you mention 'productivity' as the result of not having ourselves to look at. That would be consistent with an existential analysis. When we can't see ourselves we have the possibility of become pure subject and agent, or at least the temporary illusion of it.

wuliheron
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Posted 09/11/08 - 01:26 AM:	#3
It depends to some extent upon the culture. The Chinese, for example, tend to place paradoxes in promonent places like mirrors. The idea is that if you find yourself reading something into the paradox it is obviously your ego at work. Thus, you can use mirrors and paradoxes as a way to remind yourself to clear your mind of beliefs and open it possibilities.

vykk_draygo
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Posted 09/23/08 - 11:38 AM:	#4
My first truly conscious moment was in front of a mirror. I was about 5 or 6, and I remember standing in front of the mirror and suddenly realizing with profound lucidity that the person in the mirror was me. I became aware of the fact of my existence. Everything before that point in my life is just a haze of childhood memories, almost dreamlike. Anyway. I'd like to bring up a relevant point to the topic of mirrors. That is: No one ever really sees their own face. We can only see representations of them.
"But are not the dreams of poets and the tales of travellers notoriously false?" H.P. Lovecraft

SIR2U
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Posted 09/26/08 - 03:36 PM:	#5
Freud would call it nervous anxiety, fear that we are not up to society's standard. I always find it interesting how people stop infront of polorized class doors to preen themselves before entering, and then they find out that the people on the inside were watching them and they get embarassed.
Unknown Alanic wiseman. "Ignorance and bad teeth have at least one thing in common. Keeping your mouth closed makes them both less obvious"

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