Reflection on the Question of Identity

This study reflects on the concept of identity within its philosophical, social, anthropological, psychological and logical context in order to illustrate its multiple connotations and explain the reasons for its inflation, Arab and global, to the extent that there are large issues hidden under the cloak of what has come to be known as the "identity crisis". It also seeks to separate the concept of identity from other concepts such as cultural or civilizational character , political sectarianism, religious faith and oppression, as well as seeking to establish a philosophical debate on the relationship of identity to dignity, and to show the differences between individual identity and collective identity and the overlap between them, and the link between identity and morality. The research utilized findings oof social psychology to discuss issues related to the foundations and functions of affiliations, contexts that create a distinction between "us" and "them", the effects of individuals' self-awareness as individuals on identity formations, and the link between identity and populism. The paper concludes by analyzing issues of Arab identity and the dissonance and intersection between state-national identity and pan-Arab identity, and national identity and globalization, and how identity and citizenship can be complementary. 

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This study reflects on the concept of identity within its philosophical, social, anthropological, psychological and logical context in order to illustrate its multiple connotations and explain the reasons for its inflation, Arab and global, to the extent that there are large issues hidden under the cloak of what has come to be known as the "identity crisis". It also seeks to separate the concept of identity from other concepts such as cultural or civilizational character , political sectarianism, religious faith and oppression, as well as seeking to establish a philosophical debate on the relationship of identity to dignity, and to show the differences between individual identity and collective identity and the overlap between them, and the link between identity and morality. The research utilized findings oof social psychology to discuss issues related to the foundations and functions of affiliations, contexts that create a distinction between "us" and "them", the effects of individuals' self-awareness as individuals on identity formations, and the link between identity and populism. The paper concludes by analyzing issues of Arab identity and the dissonance and intersection between state-national identity and pan-Arab identity, and national identity and globalization, and how identity and citizenship can be complementary. 

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