What is “authentic”, “genuine” and “real”?
When we talk about people and how they behave in the world, I have wondered if many people would pass the test of being “authentic, genuine and real”. Now that I’ve posed that question, I also wonder if people really care how they behave when they choose to live their lives. For me, the search for answers begins with finding the definitions of these words based on Internet dictionaries … (Most relevant for this article are the definitions that are emboldened and underlined).
Follow these definitions and the article will continue on the other side …
Definition of AUTHENTIC Webster’s
1. obsolete: authorized
2 worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming or based on a fact b: conforming to an original to reproduce essential characteristics c: made or made in the same way as an original
3.not fake or imitation: real, real
4th of a church mode: going up from the key note – compare plagal 1 b of a cadence: progressing from the dominant chord to the tonic – compare plagal 2
5. true to one’s personality, spirit or character
– au • then • ti • cal • ly
– au • then • tic • i • ty
O au • then • tic adjective
1. not fake or copied; authentic; real: a real antique.
2. have the origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated; verified: authentic document from the Middle Ages; an authentic work of the old master.
3. right to acceptance or belief due to agreement with known facts or experience; dependable; Reliable: An Authentic Report on Poverty in Africa
Definition of GENUINE
1) that really has the supposedly or apparent qualities or character b: actually produced or coming from the supposed source or author c: sincere and honest sense or experience d: real, true
2. free from hypocrisy or pretense: sincere
authentic
adjective
1. possess the character, quality or origin claimed or attributed; not forged; authentic; royal: genuine sympathy; a real antique.
2. proper: a genuine case of smallpox.
3. free from pretense, affectation or hypocrisy; sincere: a genuine person.
4. descendant of the original population; purebred – a genuine Celtic people.
Synonyms
1. See authentic. 3. True, unaffected, open, honest, direct.
Definition: authentic, real
Synonyms: -quilates, 24-karat, absolute, exact, current, authenticated, bona fide, true, certified, demonstrable, exact, existing, factual, true, good, tough, honest, honest, in the flesh. , unmistakable, kosher *, legitimate, legitimate, literal, natural, official, original, palpable, plain, positive, accurate, proven, pure, real stuff, sound, sterling, safe, proven, true, unadulterated, unalloyed, undoubted , faultless, unquestionable, unadorned, valid, true, very, whole
Notes: Genuine means that it is not false or falsified, nor felt or expressed sincerely, while authentic means that it is true to the facts and therefore worthy of belief and trust.
Antonyms: forged, false, illegitimate, phony, unreal
Definition of REAL:
Real describes something that is true and authentic or something very important or significant.
(adjective)
1. An example of real is a real designer handbag rather than a fake.
2. A real example is a serious problem.
re • to the adjective
1. true; not merely ostensible, nominal or apparent: the true reason for an act.
2. existing or occurring as a fact; real instead of imaginary, ideal or fictional: a story taken from real life.
3. be something real; have objective existence; not imaginary: the events you will see in the movie are real and not just made up.
4. be really such; not just what it’s called: a true victory.
5. genuine; not counterfeit, artificial or imitation; authentic: a true antique; a real diamond; real silk
OR 1. a. Be or occur in fact or actuality; have verifiable existence: real objects; a real disease.
B. True and current; not imaginary, supposed or ideal: real people, not ghosts; a movie based on real life.
vs. From or based on practical questions and concerns: a recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.
2. Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious: real mink; true humility.
3. Be nothing less than what is said; worthy of the name: a true friend.
4. Free of pretenses, falsehoods or assignments: tourists who expect to live a real experience in the guided tour.
5. It should not be taken lightly; serious: in real trouble
Everyone seems to be able to achieve authentic, genuine and real status some of the time. The amount of this time varies greatly depending on how important it may seem real rather than being in the “role” of the type of character (or person) who may need or want to be seen. I think a lot of us spend too much time “acting” or pretending to be someone else because we don’t feel comfortable being who we really are … I also think these “roles” are so comfortable and frequent that we often do. we don’t have a good idea of how to be authentic, genuine or real because we DO NOT KNOW who we really are … In fact, this lack of self-knowledge, self-acceptance, personal perception and authenticity is common, accepted and often preferred by both the person who plays the role as well as the people they meet. Maybe it’s just easier than being real or genuine.
What would be the advantage of being authentic, genuine and real?
Would this make life more satisfying?
Would this help make relationships stronger or more real?
Should people live to show more who they really are?
And how do you become authentic, genuine and real, and live in this true way?
When you meet a person who is genuine and real, do you find that you can “TRUST” that person more easily because they don’t seem authentic? Do relationships benefit from moments when the people in relationship have sincere and genuine interaction?
When we are born, we are genuine, authentic and real. But things get complicated and we develop filters through which we begin to experience the world. These filters can be cultural, family values, political or loaded with religious teachings. We then evaluate and “judge” other people and interactions based on these filters and often find ourselves acting in the character of the filters we have adopted. Babies are not born as: “born again Christians”, or Muslim extremists, or angry conservative “right wing” Republicans, or “left wing” bleeding heart liberals, or drug addicted “street people”, or too much educated intellectual snobs, rabid or tattooed football fans, NASCAR enthusiasts. Babies are exposed to these philosophies and adopt these characteristics from the role models they live with. That said, are these developed personalities authentic, genuine, or real?
How does common sense, or the lack of it, play a role in life as a genuine person?
Is the definition of “false” (or acting “false”) the opposite of authentic, genuine and real?
When the time comes when a person realizes that they are not as authentic as they would like to be, how does a person find their way back to an authentic self? And how will they really know that they have reached that inner place of being genuine, real and authentic? (Is it a feeling of perception or can it be understood through an evaluation process?)
Does being “real” allow for unfiltered, inappropriate, sarcastic, and uninhibited impulsiveness? In this day and age, many people express themselves through a cynical, sarcastic, and caustic style that seems to be in vogue among many celebrities and experts who are allowed a great deal of media exposure. As a society, tolerance, acceptance, and celebration of this style of behavior seem to communicate insecurity and the need to patronize fellow citizens. This lack of tolerance and respect seems endemic in our culture. Why do we have to belittle other people or concepts just to magnify ourselves or our opinions?
Also, is there a moment in people’s lives when they realize that they have been pursuing a dream or expectations that they may find unsatisfying? When we are young, do we impulsively live by a cultural expectation of “success” that during “middle age” (mid-30s to late 40s) changes dramatically causing dissatisfaction and unhappiness that can cause dramatic changes in career choices, relationships and lifestyles? ? Would a better self-awareness with authenticity allow for greater life satisfaction before, during, and after these midlife tribulations? Does the desire for a change in midlife denote the need to strive for greater self-awareness, authenticity, or authenticity?
