Role of the "and" in the development of the individual

In the next to last post, we spoke of the indispensable role of the "and" in the generation of language, concepts and ideas.   We can say that human consciousness largely is what it is because of the role of the "and".  For we think largely through the use of words, concepts, ideas and a "point of view".   And the absence of the "and" results, in large part, in the inability or, at the very least, extreme difficulty in learning language and developing social strategies.  It has been said that to a very large extent, thinking consists of "talking to oneself", or the creation of an imaginary other, so entrenched is the existence of the "and".

  So while the "and" plays a vital role in the development of consciousness, it also, in a best case scenario, nourishes the "or" in terms of the development of individual identity.  At a point that is in large part a result of the natural development of consciousness, and to an extent the result of differing social customs, the child and then the teenager developes to the point that he is ready to leave the nest.  It is worth pausing at this point to consider, in some more depth,  the role of the "and" in the development of individuation.  For the development of individuation is to a large extent, contingent upon the child's ties to his parents, teachers and peers.  And this mixture is unique in each case as is the product that results therefrom.  While there is no doubt genetics plays a role in the development of individual personality traits, the role of the "and" and the unique mixture of relations that each person lives through is no doubt paramount.   Many of us say,  "I get certain personality traits from my father and certain personality traits from my mother."

It has been said that biologically, the mixing and matching of genes from each parent ensures the development of the ability to adapt to predators or other threats.  This to some extent random mixing and matching provides for the creation of a brand new individual, different from its parents.  The mixing and matching of personality traits, acquired through the "and", from parents and from ties to other figures also ensures that none of us will be exactly like our parents or like our friends etc.  And there is freedom in this; since we are different that we are not constrained to follow in their footsteps and not doomed to repeat their mistakes.  We will make our own mistakes, encounter our own challenges and create our own albatrosses.  But we are free.