The cost of authority over your self-image is waning control over your changing values. Change then becomes something to hide. This leads to cognitive dissonance. The cost of doubling down on who we think we are — of knowing thyself — is eventual ossification.

Interesting conclusion and even more interesting premises. What is interesting is the conflict is paradoxical. To be succinct, self and one’s values are interlinked while organic as time, experience, knowledge and ultimately wisdom ensue hence the movement…evolution of self. If one truly knows [ arguably a life long pursuit] one’s self you already understand and are prepared for this outcome. There is no “double down” for the virtues…our reason…our goodness has always been to large degree the self. The original self remains. It has only evolved into more awareness. Cognitive dissonance is a mental state of conflicting constructs working their voices simultaneously while the individual believes both are valid. It is a defensive mechanism of the first order for someone who truly has no true agency of one’s self. Similar to group think and identity alignment with large groups. You become valueless the moment you submit the self [ your agency] to the group identity. To be associated [with the alien identity] would be the example of sustaining your self…your agency.

Finally, if you are not willing to pursue an example then why offer it as a passing reference unless you are not certain who are what you are actually pursuing? It doesn’t take a perfume master to smell a alternative motive. There are at least two examples of this bait and innocuous switch within your treatise. This feels like “doubling down” while the dealer is looking the other way.

Thanks for listening and good luck with your work.

Eric