Charles Cooley

Charles Cooley (1864-1929) was another American sociologist most famous for articulating the "looking-glass self" concept.

According to Cooley, in his work "Human Nature and the Social Order", his "looking-glass self" involved three steps:

1) To begin, we picture our appearance of ourselves, traits and personalities

2) We then use the reactions of others to interpret how others visualise us

3) We develop our own Self-concept, based on our interpretations. Our Self-concept can be enhanced or diminished by our conclusions. [Source]

I think what Cooley was describing was simply the Nafs, the Ego-self, and how the Ruh, or the spirit, has been corrupted through a self-absorbed ego molding the individual into a social pawn. More on this in an earlier blog.