Against Identity

Alexander Douglas

Modern life encourages us to pursue the perfect identity. Whether we aspire to become the best lawyer or charity worker, life partner or celebrity influencer, we emulate exemplars that exist in the world - hoping it will bring us happiness. But this often leads to a complex game of envy and pride. We achieve these identities but want others to imitate us. We disagree with those whose identities contradict ours - leading to polarisation and even violence. And yet when they thump against us, we are ashamed to ring hollow. In this book, philosopher Alexander Douglas seeks an alternative wisdom. Searching the work of three thinkers - ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, Dutch Enlightenment thinker Benedict de Spinoza, and 20th Century French theorist René Girard - he explores how identity can be a spiritual violence that leads us away from truth.

Author(s): Douglas, Alexander
Binding: Hardback
Date of Publication: 19/06/2025
Pagination: 240 pages
Series: N/A
Imprint: Allen Lane
Published By: Allen Lane
Book Classification: Social & political philosophy|Social groups|Political science & theory|History of philosophy, philosophical traditions
Dimensions: 224x145x28
Weight: 376
ISBN13\EAN\SKU: 9780241648216