what does "ego" mean?

Question

and what does "alter ego" mean? (i have an idea of what ego means, but i just need some clarification plz)

Answer 1

Psychology uses a lot of made up words to describe made up ideas (a tautological ontology) at best it helps people communicate-at worst it causes confusion. Also, it gives geeks like me something to argue with other geeks about at geek parties. The pop idea is that ego means inflated self-esteem (e.g. he's got a big ego). The classic definition is from Freud. In Freud's early view, there was this part of us that only wants pleasure-the "id". In pursuit of it's insatiable need for pleasure it got into trouble and was punished and therefore divided itself in two-the "id" and the "super-ego." The super-ego was always punishing the id and there for creating much turmoil and pain. So, the ego was developed. The ego acts as a buffer between the warring factions of the self-the id and the super-ego. Like the demilitarized zone between north and South Korea. The ego uses all sorts of defenses (defense mechanisms) to keep the id and super-ego apart and thus maintain psychic peace. Thus, contrary to popular believe, defense mechanisms are very useful and we can't function without them. However, they stop being useful when they keep the ego from developing (providing even more safety between the id and super-ego). An example would be when a person is cautious around others-this can serve to protect them from being emotionally hurt but also keep them from having a meaningful relationship.

Because ego is a made up word (you can't go down to the store and buy a pound of ego), it takes on other meanings as well. The concept of ego and alter-ego are most often used to explain or describe a true self (ego) and a false self (alter-ego). You see/hear this used with multiple personality disorders or dissociative disorders-where the true personality is also described as the "host." IMHO if a therapist says you have multiple personality disorder-run-do not walk to a second opinion. It is very rare.

Answer 2

The Ego is like your conscious self; it's what makes the decisions, does the thinking, blah blah blah. (According to Freud, at least.)

An alter ego is simply another personality.

Answer 3

You know that little voice you hear in your mind that talks you up. Well when you believe it in abundance.. thats your ego talking.

and when you make a statement which is unlike you.. that mush be your alter ego

Answer 4

What a wonderful question. Religion is, of course, the form that one's worship takes. Thus there are thousands of forms. Religion includes a system of religious beliefs and practices. The object of the religion may be false gods or the true God. Hence, there is false religion and there is true. Religion can get very fancy or remain simple. In the former case, such as it is today. In the latter case, such as it was in the Garden of Eden. What then is worship to me? How do I worship? To worship means to obey. And to obey means to worship. The two are intimately connected; indeed, they are coterminous and cannot be separated. Specifically, to obey the Sovereign Lord God Jehovah of Armies is to worship Him. I do my imperfect best in this regard. I fall on my face and get back up to try and try again. In the Garden of Eden, so long as they obeyed Jehovah, Adam and Eve were worshiping him. No temple, no Mosaic Law, no meetings. Simply leave the tree of the knowledge of good and bad alone. Simple. The minute they disobeyed, they stopped worshiping Jehovah. Same with the nation of Israel. The minute they attempted to practice a syncretistic religion they stopped worshiping Jehovah. The minute they made the golden calf, they stopped. And on and on. To worship is to obey. To obey is to worship. Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

Ego = I
Alter ego = Other I

It's Latin.

;)