What gives it its human character is that the individual through language addresses himself in the role of the others in the group and thus becomes aware of them in his own conduct.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes how language allows individuals to understand themselves and others within a community context.
George Herbert Mead's quote suggests that the essence of humanity lies in the ability to engage in self-reflection and social awareness through language. It highlights the role of communication in shaping one’s identity as individuals perceive their behaviors and attitudes through the lens of societal interactions, thus fostering a deeper connection with others and understanding of one’s own actions in a social framework.
In practice
This quote can be used in a lecture on social psychology to illustrate the importance of communication in human relationships.
If the whole responsibility is thrown upon our own shoulders, we shall be at our highest and best; when we have nobody to grope towards, no devil to lay our blame upon, no Personal God to carry our burdens, when we are alone responsible, then we shall rise to our highest and best. I am responsible for my fate, I am the bringer of good unto myself, I am the bringer of evil.
Them as can do has to do for them as can't. And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.
Though the object of being a Great Power is to be able to fight a Great War, the only way of remaining a Great Power is not to fight one.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Filling the conscious mind with ideal conceptions is a characteristic of Western theosophy, but not the confrontation with the Shadow and the world of darkness. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.
We owe the origin and development of human society and, consequently, of culture and civilization, to the fact that work performed under the division of labor is more productive than when performed in isolation.
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