A philosopher explains why the search for identity is meaningless and how we should escape from the self.

Modern life encourages us to pursue the perfect identity. Whether we want to become the best lawyers or philanthropists, life partners or celebrities, we imitate examples that exist in the world – hoping that this will bring us happiness. This often leads to a complex game of jealousy and pride. We achieve these identities but want others to imitate us. We disagree with those whose identities conflict with our own – leading to polarization and even violence. And yet, when they offend us, we feel shame as we find ourselves empty.

In the book "Against Identity," philosopher Alexander Douglas seeks an alternative wisdom. Exploring the work of three thinkers – the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, the Dutch Enlightenment philosopher Benedict de Spinoza, and the 20th-century French theorist René Girard – he analyzes how identity can be a spiritual violence that distances us from the truth.

Through their worlds and radically different cultures, we discover how, in moments of historical rupture, our hunger for existence grows: and yet, it is precisely these moments when we should reconcile with our vagueness and discover the freedom of escaping from ourselves.

Pages: 272, Year of Publication: 0919, Dimensions: 14.5x14.5cm