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alter ego

Did you mean: alter ego, Alter Ego (Electronica Band, '90s, 2000s), Alter Ego (Tyrese album), Alter Ego (video game), Alter Ego (Peruvian band), Alter Ego (Star Trek: Voyager) More...

 
Dictionary: alter ego

n.
  1. Another side of oneself; a second self.
  2. An intimate friend or a constant companion.

[Latin : alter, other + ego, I, self.]


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Business Dictionary:

Alter Ego

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The other self. Under the doctrine of alter ego, the law will disregard the limited personal liability one enjoys when acting in a corporate capacity and will regard the act as his or her personal responsibility. To invoke the doctrine, it must be shown that the corporation was a mere conduit for the transaction of private business and that no separate identity of the individual and the corporation really existed.

Philosophy Dictionary:

alter ego

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A second self; the way in which a friend is to be regarded, according to Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics 1166a 32, 1169b 7).

Psychoanalysis:

Alter Ego

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The representation of an other complicit in the subject's narcissism, or self-object, the alter ego refers to the narcissistic need of an other similar to the self, a factor in the development of the self. The term appeared in the work of Heinz Kohut in 1971 in the context of alter ego transference, a form of mirror transference. After 1984, given the autonomy of the alter ego transference, it appears as a constituent of the self, along with the grandiose self, the pole of ambitions, and the idealized parental imago, the pole of ideals. Defined as an arc of tension between the two poles, the alter ego takes into account the harmony of the self, while the mirror affirms the vigor of the self and its idealization and cohesion. The line of development of the alter ego is important throughout the period that extends from the age of four to ten years; friendship, the need for someone like us, sometimes changes into the need for an imaginary companion. The alter ego is associated with humanity and sexual identity through self-identification—the father's true son. The reverse would be a Kafkaesque world of dehumanizing experiences. When this sector is stopped, repressed needs remain fixed and are difficult to verbalize because of the shame they arouse. The alter ego is associated with other needs and narcissistic transferences. Within this context, the concept of identification loses the specificity it has in Freudian metapsychology in terms of the constitution of the ego.

Bibliography

Kohut, Heinz. (1971). The analysis of the self. New York: International Universities Press.

——. (1977). The restoration of the self. New York: International Universities Press.

——. (1984). How does analysis cure? Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

—AGNÈS OPPENHEIMER

Law Encyclopedia:

Alter Ego

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This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A doctrine used by the courts to ignore the corporate status of a group of stockholders, officers, and directors of a corporation in reference to their limited liability in order to hold them personally liable for their actions when they have acted fraudulently or unjustly, or when to refuse to do so will deprive an innocent victim of redress for an injury caused by them.

A corporation is considered the alter ego of its stockholders, directors, or officers when it is used merely for the transaction of their personal business for which they want immunity from individual liability. A parent corporation is the alter ego of a subsidiary corporation if it controls and directs its activities so that it will have limited liability for its wrongful acts.

The alter ego doctrine is also known as the instrumentality rule because the corporation becomes an instrument for the personal advantage of its parent corporation, stockholders, directors, or officers. When a court applies it, the court is said to pierce the corporate veil.

Latin Phrase:

alter ego

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Science Dictionary:

alter ego

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(awl-tuhr ee-goh)

An intimate friend, considered another side of oneself: “He was my alter ego; we were always picking up each other's thoughts.” Alter ego is Latin for “another I.”

Wikipedia:

Alter ego

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An alter ego (Latin, "the other I") is a second self, a second personality or persona within a person, who is often oblivious to the persona's actions. It was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists.[1] A person with an alter ego is said to lead a double life.

A distinct meaning for alter ego can be found in literary analysis, wherein it describes characters in different works who are psychologically similar, or a fictional character whose behavior, speech or thoughts intentionally represent those of the author. Similarly, alter ego can be applied to the role or persona taken on by an actor.[2]

The characters Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde in Robert Louis Stevenson's thriller Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde represent an exploration of the concept that good and evil exist within one person, constantly at war. Edward Hyde literally represents the doctor's other self, a psychopathic being unrestrained by the conventions of civilized society, who shares a body with the doctor.

Less precisely, alter ego can also refer to the different behaviors any person may display in various situations.

Contents

Modern usage

The term and concept also frequently appear in popular fiction, such as in comic books, for the secret identity of a superhero, vigilante, or crimefighter.

Related concepts include avatar, doppelgänger, impersonator, and split personality. List of alter egos in fiction

  • François Dillinger is Nick Twisp's alter ego in the novel Youth in Revolt and its film adaptation.
  • Tuxedo Mask is Darian Shields' alter ego on the show Sailor Moon.
  • Stripperella is the alter ego of Erotica Jones in Stripperella.
  • Daisuke Niwa is Dark Mousy in D.N.Angel.
  • Angel and Angelus are good and evil alter egos of the vampire Liam.
  • American Dragon is the alter ego of Jake Long
  • Huntsgirl/Thorn is the alter ego of Rose in the animated Disney Channel show American Dragon: Jake Long
  • Bartman is the alter ego of Bart Simpson in the animated TV sitcom The Simpsons, as are El Barto and the Cupcake Kid.
  • Quailman is the alter ego of Doug Funnie in the animated TV sitcom Doug.
  • Kaitou Sinbad is the alter ego of Chiaki Nagoya.
  • Fangface is the alter ego of Sherman "Fangs" Fangsworth.
  • Hannah Montana is the alter ego of Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus).
  • Slim Shady is the alter ego of Marshall Mathers (Eminem).
  • Batman is the alter ego of Bruce Wayne in the Batman comics.
  • Anastasia Beaverhausen is the alter ego of Karen Walker on Will & Grace.
  • Professor Chaos is the alter ego of Butters Stotch from the television show South Park.
  • Conky is the alter ego of Bubbles in the television show Trailer Park Boys.
  • Cornholio is the alter ego of Beavis .
  • Duane Dibbley is the alter ego of Cat in the sci-fi TV show Red Dwarf.
  • Duck Dodgers is the alter ego of Daffy Duck, as revealed in Looney Tunes: Back In Action.
  • Tyler Durden is the alter ego of the narrator in Fight Club.
  • The Hulk is the alter ego of Bruce Banner in the Hulk comics.
  • Dude Love is the alter ego of Mankind.
  • Mr. Hyde is the alter ego of Dr. Jekyll in the novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
  • Janus is the alter ego of Alec Trevelyan in the James Bond film Goldeneye.
  • St. Jimmy is the alter ego of 'Jesus of Suburbia' in Green Day's punk-rock opera American Idiot.
  • Clark Kent is the alter ego of Superman in the Superman comics.
  • Drake Mallard is the alter ego of Darkwing Duck.
  • Gosalyn Mallard is the alter ego of Quiverwing Quack.
  • Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson in the Captain Marvel comics.
  • Regina Phalange is the alter ego of Phoebe Buffay on Friends.
  • Pieman is the alter ego of Homer Simpson on The Simpsons.
  • Sailor Moon is the alter ego of Usagi Tsukino in the Sailor Moon manga and anime.
  • The Great Saiyaman is the alter ego of Son Gohan in the manga/anime Dragonball Z.
  • The Shadow is the alter ego of Lamont Cranston.
  • Darth Sidious is the alter ego of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in the Star Wars films.
  • Spider-Man is the alter ego of Peter Parker in the Spider-Man comics.
  • Supercow is the alter ego of Cow in the Cow and Chicken cartoons.
  • The Thnikkaman is the alter ego of Bubs.
  • Thor is the alter ego of Dr. Don Blake in the Thor comics.
  • Björn Türoque is the alter ego of Dan Crane.
  • Princess Tutu is the alter ego of Duck in the Japanese anime and manga Princess Tutu.
  • Stefan Urquelle is the alter ego of Steve Urkel on Family Matters.
  • Darth Vader is the alter ego of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars movies.
  • Dr. Martin Van Nostrand is the alter ego of Cosmo Kramer on the TV sitcom Seinfeld.
  • Art Vandelay is the alter ego of George Costanza on Seinfeld.
  • Kel Varnson is the alter ego of Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld.
  • Lord Voldemort is the alter ego of Tom Riddle in the Harry Potter novels.
  • Wario-Man is the alter ego of Wario.
  • Commander Keen is the alter ego of Billy Blaze in the Commander Keen video game series.
  • Sheik is the alter ego of Princess Zelda in the Legend of Zelda series of video games.
  • Atem (Dark Yugi, Yami Yugi, Yu-Gi-Oh) is the alter ego of Yugi Mutou.
  • Dark Bakura (Yami Bakura) is the alter ego of Ryo Bakura.
  • Dark Marik (Yami Marik) is the alter ego of Marik Ishtar.
  • The Scarlet Pimpernel is the alter ego of Sir Percy Blakeney from the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel.
  • Mr. Big is the alter ago of Dr. Kananga in the James Bond novel and film Live and Let Die.
  • Kal and Kal-El are the alter egos of Clark Kent on Smallville.
  • Isabella (Is for short) is the alter ego of Jamie Bartlett from the Disney Channel's Original Movie Read It and Weep.
  • The Dark Prince is the alter ego of Prince (Prince of Persia) on Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones.
  • The Digimon Emperor is the alter ego of Ken Ichijioji in Digimon 02.

List of alter egos in real life

  • 50 Cent's alter ego is Ferrari F-50
  • Addie Jones's alter ego is Cindy Lopez.
  • Adam Copeland's alter ego is Edge.
  • Adam Yauch’s alter ego is Nathaniel Hornblower.
  • Alex Lifeson’s alter ego is The Snow Dog.
  • Alona Almalyn Garcia’s alter ego is Cess.
  • Alvin Burke, Jr.'s alter ego is Montel Vontavious Porter.
  • Andy Kaufman’s alter egos included Tony Clifton and Latka Gravas, among others.
  • Anthony Carelli's alter ego is Santino Marella, which inside that had Santina Marella.
  • Arvi Macaraeg's alter ego is Chuyti.
  • The Bagdasarian family’s alter egos are The Chipmunks.
  • Betterman Nebula, Aqua, Forte, and Oltos are the alter egos of the somnium Lamia in the Japanese anime Betterman.
  • The Beatles' alter ego is Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
  • Beyoncé’s inner-diva alter ego is Sasha Fierce.
  • Bill Bailey’s alter ego is Axl Rose.
  • Bizzare’s alter ego is Peter S. Bizzare.
  • Black Haru is Hatsuharu Sohma's alter ego in Fruits Basket.
  • Bobby Valentino’s inner-rapper alter ego is BV.
  • Bono’s alter egos are The Fly, Mr. MacPhisto, Mirrorball Man.
  • Brad Roberts’ alter ego is Jizmak Da Gusha.
  • Brandy Norwood's inner-rapper alter ego is Bran’Nu
  • Brian Warner’s alter ego is Marilyn Manson.
  • Bruce Willis's alter egos are W.B. Willis and Bruno
  • Cam'ron’s alter ego is Killa Cam.
  • Carl Baab’s alter ego is Barl Caab.
  • Charles Bukowski’s alter ego is Henry Chinaski
  • Charles Schulz modeled the character Charlie Brown after himself.
  • Charlotte Crafter's alter ego is Mercedes Lotta
  • Chris Berman’s prognosticating alter ego is “The Swami.”
  • Christina Aguilera’s inner-diva alter egos are Xtina and Baby Jane.
  • Christopher Daniels’s alter ego is Curry Man.
  • Cory Smoot's alter ego is Flattus Maximus.
  • D12's alter ego is D-Twizzy.
  • Dame Edna Everage is the alter ego of Barry Humphries.
  • Dan Aykroyd's alter-ego is the legendary bluesman Elwood Blues of The Blues Brothers.
  • Dan Brown's protagonist in most of his novels,Robert Langdon,is an alter ego of Dan Brown. Dan states that he has modeled Robert Langdon as "the guy I wish I was".
  • Daniel Handler’s alter ego is Lemony Snicket.
  • Darryle Brown's alter ego is Jamie Starr.
  • Dave Brockie’s alter ego is Oderus Urungus.
  • David Bowie’s alter egos are Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Halloween Jack and The Thin White Duke
  • David Johansen’s alter ego is Buster Poindexter.
  • Dylan Perdue's alter ego is Hoodieman.
  • Eddie Murphy's alter ego's are Axel Foley, Sherman Klump and Buddy Love
  • Eminem’s alter ego is Slim Shady
  • Eric West’s alter ego is Logo.
  • François Truffaut’s alter ego is Antoine Doinel.
  • Garth Brooks’s alter ego is Chris Gaines.
  • Geddy Lee’s alter ego is By-Tor.
  • Green Day's alter egos are The Network and The Foxboro Hot Tubs.
  • Gregg Turkington’s alter ego is comedian Neil Hamburger.
  • Hunter S. Thompson’s alter ego was Raoul Duke.
  • Ian Fleming’s alter ego is James Bond.
  • James Joyce’s alter ego is Stephen Dedalus
  • Jeordie White’s alter ego is Twiggy Ramirez.
  • Jim Morrison’s alter ego was The Lizard King.
  • John Lennon's alter ego was the walrus
  • Kelly Rowland’s inner-diva is Natalia.
  • Kieran Duffy’s alter egos include Duffman and Norton Darcy-Smythe.
  • Kon Artis’s alter ego is Mr. Porter.
  • Koyasu Takehito’s alter ego is Zazel.
  • Kuniva’s alter ego is Rondell Beene.
  • Kurt Vonnegut’s alter ego is sci-fi writer Kilgore Trout.
  • Las is the pure evil alter ego of Sal.
  • Leigh Francis’s alter ego is Avid Merrion.
  • Madlib’s alter ego is Quasimoto.
  • Mariah Carey’s alter ego is Bianca; she also is known as Mimi.
  • Mark Calaway's alter ego is The Undertaker.
  • Mark Mallman’s alter ego is Mallwolf.
  • Marshall Mathers’s alter egos are Slim Shady and Eminem.
  • Mary J. Blige’s inner-rapper alter ego is Brook Lynn
  • Matt Pitcher’s alter ego is Trip Stone.
  • Michelle Williams’s inner-diva is Nina Capone
  • Mick Foley has had three primary alter egos: Cactus Jack, Mankind and Dude Love.
  • Miggy Free’s alter ego is The Stark Roads.
  • Mike Derks of GWAR’s alter ego is Balsac the Jaws of Death
  • Miley Cyrus' alter ego is Hannah Montana
  • Mr. Bumbles is the alter ego of Chadwick D. Voe.
  • My Chemical Romance’s alter ego is The Black Parade.
  • Nas’s alter egos are Nas Escobar, Nasty Nas, Nastradamus & God’s Son.
  • Neil Young’s movie directing alter ego is Bernard Shakey.
  • Ol' Dirty Bastard's alter ego is Dirt McGirt, A-Sun,O-Cyrus, & Big Baby Jesus.
  • Paul McCartney’s alter egos are Paul Ramon(e), Percy “Trihlls” Trillington and Apollo C. Vermouth.
  • Paul Levesque's alter ego is Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
  • Paul Reubens’s alter ego is Pee-wee Herman.
  • Pimp C's alter ego was Sweet James Jones .
  • Pharrell Williams’s inner-rapper alter ego is Skateboard P.
  • Phillip Roth has two separate literary creations who can be viewed as his alter egos, Nathan Zuckerman and Alexander Portnoy.
  • Prince’s alter ego is Camille.
  • Proof’s alter ego is Derty Harry.
  • Richard Starkey’s alter egos are Ringo Starr and Billy Shears.
  • Ron Wasserman's alter egos are Aaron Waters and The Mighty RAW.
  • Ronald Isley’s alter ego is Mr. Biggs.
  • Sacha Baron Cohen’s alter egos are the MC and gangster wannabe Ali G, the Kazakhstani news reporter Borat, and the gay *Austrian fashion designer Bruno on Da Ali G Show
  • The alter ego of German pop star Sasha is rockabilly bandleader Dick Brave.
  • Slick Rick's alter ego is MC Ricky D.
  • Spike Jonze has several alter egos, notably Richard Koufey.
  • Spike Lee’s alter ego is Mars Blackmon.
  • Sum 41’s alter ego is Pain 4 Pleasure.
  • Stewart Copeland’s alter ego is Klark Kent.
  • Severus Snape's alter ego is The Half-blood prince.
  • Swift’s alter ego is Swifty McVay.
  • T.I.’s alter ego is T.I.P.
  • The Game’s alter ego is Hurricane Game
  • The Miz is the alter ego of Mike Mizanin.
  • The Notorious B.I.G.’s alter ego is Biggie Smalls
  • Todd Evans’s alter ego is Beefcake the Mighty.
  • Tupac Shakur’s alter egos were Makaveli and Don Killumanati.
  • Tyler Perry’s alter ego is the loud, attitude-prone Madea.
  • Tyrese Gibson’s inner-rapper alter ego is Black Ty.
  • Viktor Vaughn and King Geedorah are the alter egos of MF Doom.
  • Wim Wenders' alter ego is Philip Winter (also Bruno Winter).

See also

References


 
 

Did you mean: alter ego, Alter Ego (Electronica Band, '90s, 2000s), Alter Ego (Tyrese album), Alter Ego (video game), Alter Ego (Peruvian band), Alter Ego (Star Trek: Voyager) More...


 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Business Dictionary. Dictionary of Business Terms. Copyright © 2000 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Philosophy Dictionary. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy. Copyright © 1994, 1996, 2005 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Psychoanalysis. International Dictionary of Psychoanalysis. Copyright © 2005 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Law Encyclopedia. West's Encyclopedia of American Law. Copyright © 1998 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Answers Corporation Latin Phrase. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.  Read more
Science Dictionary. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alter ego" Read more

 

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