Against Identity : The Wisdom of Escaping the Self
Book Details
Format
Paperback / Softback
ISBN-10
1802063315
ISBN-13
9781802063318
Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Imprint
Penguin
Country of Manufacture
GB
Country of Publication
GB
Publication Date
Jun 11th, 2026
Print length
272 Pages
Weight
200 grams
Dimensions
19.70 x 12.90 x 1.70 cms
Ksh 2,350.00
Werezi Extended Catalogue
Delivery in 14 days
28 copies in stock
Delivery Location
Delivery fee: Select location
Delivery in 14 days
Secure
Quality
Fast
‘Deeply interesting … a superb critique of contemporary self-obsession’ Steven Poole, Guardian
''Engrossing … bracing … incendiary and timely’ Stuart Jeffries, Daily Telegraph
A philosopher explains why the search for identity is meaningless, and how we should escape the self
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 Against Identity, 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.
Through their worlds and radically different cultures, we discover how, at moments of historical rupture, our hunger for being grows: and yet, it is exactly these times when we should make peace with our indeterminacy and discover the freedom of escaping our selves.
‘Lucid and absorbing … One of my highlight books of the year’ Stuart Kelly, Scotsman
''Engrossing … bracing … incendiary and timely’ Stuart Jeffries, Daily Telegraph
A philosopher explains why the search for identity is meaningless, and how we should escape the self
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 Against Identity, 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.
Through their worlds and radically different cultures, we discover how, at moments of historical rupture, our hunger for being grows: and yet, it is exactly these times when we should make peace with our indeterminacy and discover the freedom of escaping our selves.
‘Lucid and absorbing … One of my highlight books of the year’ Stuart Kelly, Scotsman
Get Against Identity by at the best price and quality guaranteed only at Werezi Africa's largest book ecommerce store. The book was published by Penguin Books Ltd and it has pages.
