Meaning
"We of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than 100 men and women...."
"Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery:"
another way of putting it would be: a common solution for a common problem (alcoholism).
All book references taken from First Edition Alcoholics Anonymous
"Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery:"
another way of putting it would be: a common solution for a common problem (alcoholism).
All book references taken from First Edition Alcoholics Anonymous
Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,636
Welcome to SR, pjm!
From a logistical/grammatical perspective, it's because the Steps are written from the perspective of the men and woman who had gotten sober "in AA" up to that point -- which, of course, would be the first person plural perspective.
On a deeper level, it is widely believed that the choice to use that particular perspective is important because it emphasizes the fact that AA is a "we" program, i.e. that it is a program that is based on the idea of alcoholics overcoming their isolation and working with/helping each other to solve their common problem.
In addition, given the "content" of the first Step -- admitting the unmanageability of one's life and one's total powerlessness over alcohol, it's kinda important/comforting to know that one is not alone and that there are others who have been there before one and found a way out.
freya
From a logistical/grammatical perspective, it's because the Steps are written from the perspective of the men and woman who had gotten sober "in AA" up to that point -- which, of course, would be the first person plural perspective.
On a deeper level, it is widely believed that the choice to use that particular perspective is important because it emphasizes the fact that AA is a "we" program, i.e. that it is a program that is based on the idea of alcoholics overcoming their isolation and working with/helping each other to solve their common problem.
In addition, given the "content" of the first Step -- admitting the unmanageability of one's life and one's total powerlessness over alcohol, it's kinda important/comforting to know that one is not alone and that there are others who have been there before one and found a way out.
freya
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2
I went out after being in the program for 18 months. I'm just getting back (4 days without a drink. I started with a new sponsor and he asked me the question about "we vs I" admitted. Just wanted others thoughts.
Thanks
Thanks
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