a question about the phrase; "per se"

How do you use "per se" in a sentence or conversation. I'm finding it very difficult to understand. I checked it in the dictionary and it is defined as: itself, intrinsically - with respect to its inherent nature.I watched a video of American Dad and Stan[the father] said to Steve[the son], "I don't need you, per se."
Can someone explain this to me?

Well, this isn't really Non-Emulation Help perse (hehe). That's how I normally use it.

so by saying per se, you create a paradox by denying a truth that is part of a whole, that still retains its integrity to some extent?

Basically, just not saying that it is 100% truthful, but just creating a gap filler.

I use Per se as something like For example......

This might help: http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=define%3A+per+se&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

In my mind...
per se = exactly

??? Confused.

Just say it at the end of a statement that was really dull, "per se" makes it sound a whole lot better.I herd you liek mudkipz, per se.

I wouldn't call this topic "lame" per se, but I definitely wouldn't call it interesting.^Its used like that as far as I know.

Reider got it right. Also I'd like to extend his statement by saying that while this topic isn't very interesting per se, jokes like that one makes it more interesting.The definition you stated is right, "in/by itself". "the topic by itself isn't very interesting"

^2 Yay, I was on the right track :)

Oh, after pondering about it for a few hours I finally got it! Per se means "by itself". Yea yea, I know....