The Question of Genetic Predispositions
The question of whether two individuals with identical genetic predispositions will have the same characteristics and traits appears to be unending. The advent of several scientific theories that place character and personality at the center of genetic lineage appears to have sparked this debate. Indeed, a common school of thought holds that relatives with similar genetic makeup are often drawn to similar behaviors and life perspectives. Although this may be true, our daily lives show us that, despite our hereditary links, we all have our own special ways of doing things. To test this hypothesis, I compared myself to my twin brother, and the results are astounding. While both of us share similar philosophies toward life, our personalities and hobbies are distinctively different.
Personal Philosophies
Our comparable personal philosophies have enabled my twin brother and me to develop a close bond despite the challenges that rock family relationships. My brother's philosophy is embedded in a burning desire to leave the world a better place, which is exhibited by the way he engages in community-based activities to help the poor or to clean the environment. For example, he won a community award last summer for spearheading efforts aimed at planting trees and nurturing them to grow. Correspondingly, I am also guided by a personal philosophy to leave the world a better place by helping the needy in our community. Last year, for example, I conducted a campaign to collect used clothes and distribute them to the homeless in the community shelter. Just as my twin brother loves to improve the world through planting trees in the community recreation park, I also take pride in bettering our world by helping the less fortunate members of society. This striking similarity has helped to solidify our relationship as brothers. Overall, our similar personal philosophies may be by luck or by design; however, they have enabled us to elevate the living standards of community members in our own small ways.
Differences in Personality
Even though we share similar personal philosophies, my brother has an introverted personality while I have an extroverted personality. Science teaches us that personality is a core component of human nature and it is indeed the main reason why many individuals do not share similar attitudes and behaviors. As an introvert, my brother likes to act in solitude, though he talks to other people when he is sure that the benefits of such interaction outweigh the risks involved. Additionally, he is soft-spoken, laid back and serious most of the times. For example, it is difficult for my brother to initiate a conversation with colleagues even in situations where his contribution is needed to solve an issue. This is in sharp contrast to my easy and outgoing personality. Unlike my brother, I love to go out and share experiences and moments of fun with other people. My extroverted personality has been noted by several high-ranking community members, who always invite me to take part in community forums aimed at developing solutions to the problems affecting members. I feel energized and enthusiastic when taking part in these forums, unlike my brother who always likes to lead from the periphery. This difference in personality has made it difficult to buy into the assertion that genes make us similar.
Different Hobbies
Meanwhile, our hobbies differ in activities of interest or attraction. Although our friendship is closely knit, my twin brother is attracted to indoor hobbies such as 3D printing, book restoration, computer programming, creative writing, crossword puzzles, drawing, and jigsaw puzzles. For example, last Sunday he spent the whole afternoon indoors attempting to complete a complex crossword puzzle merely to prove his mastery of the English language. In contrast, I am more interested in outdoor hobbies such as air sports, archery, bird watching, driving, hiking, motorsports, and mountain biking. These hobbies make me come into contact with many people and develop networking relationships with them, unlike my brother whose choice of hobbies ensures that he maintains minimal visibility in open spaces. For example, I have been able to exchange contacts with several national motorsports champions I have personally met during my escapades. Our difference in the choice of hobbies cannot possibly be explained by the genetic argument nor can it be illuminated by our closeness to each other.
Conclusion
Overall, this comparison essay is proof that characteristics may differ among relatives irrespective of their genetic closeness. Drawing from the discussion, it is clear that my personality and choice of hobbies are typically different from those of my twin brother, though we share similar philosophies toward life. Such differences, in my opinion, may be triggered by environmental variables and socialization patterns, as every person is brought up in a unique way. These variables may perhaps explain in more detail why my twin brother developed an introverted personality and why I have an outgoing predisposition. Similarly, these variables and socialization trajectories can provide a valid explanation why my twin brother is attracted to indoor hobbies while I am interested in outdoor activities.
