In the Name of Identity Summary

In Amin Maaloufs book In the Name of sensationism Maalouf emphasizes that we should not judge citizenry on one singular identicalness. He argues that, Identity cant be com single outmentalized. You cant divide it up into halves or thirds or any other separate segments. I oasist got several identities Ive got just one, made up of some(prenominal) components in mixture that is unique to me, just as other battalions individualism is unique to them as individuals. The event of Maaloufs business is that one should not define another based solely on a singular component of their identity however rather their identity as a firm.In chapter one, Maalouf suggest that, People commit crime like a shot in the name of religious, ethnic, national, or some other kind of identity. Massacres, racial discrimination, and holocausts lease on the whole been done in the name of defending a single component of ones identity. Maalouf makes a valid point when he writes, Whats kn protest as an identity card carries the holders family name, effrontery name, date and place of birth, photograph, a list of certain physical features, the holders signature and sometimes also his fingerprints. Proving that society as a whole selects individual components of their identity to define themselves. According to Maalouf, identity is define as,A number of elements, and these atomic number 18 clearly not restricted to the tokens mend down in official records. Of course, for the gigantic majority these factors include devotion to a religious tradition to a nationality sometimes two to a profession, an institution, or a particular social milieu. But the list is a lot longer than that it is virtually unlimited. Maalouf celebrates the fact that identity is extremely complex.Each person has a single identity, although each identity is made up of many components, do not one to be the same. In chapter two Maalouf tries to examine his own identity. Maalouf claims he is not trying to find one singular part of his identity to define himself but rather find instances that define him. Maalouf admits, As you may imagine, my object is not to discover within myself some natural allegiance in which I may recognize my self. Rather the icy I scour my memory to find as many ingredients of my identity as I can. Throughout chapter two Maalouf goes into great detail more or less what defines him. He clearly states that it is not one component, for instance coming from an Arab reach and being a Christian. He does not deny himself of either identity, but instead embraces them both. Maalouf claims that the more allegiances one has the rarer ones identity is. He clearly states, Every one of my allegiance links me to a turgid number of people, But the more ties I have the rarer and more particular my own identity becomes. Towards the end of chapter two he claimes society generalizes and puts individual components of ones identity and judges them based solely on that sing le component. Maalouf complicates matters gain when he writes, We blithely express sweeping judgments on a whole peoples, calling them hardworking and ingenious, or lazy, touchy, sly, proud, or obstinate. He claims that these judgments often postulate to bloodshed. In chapter three maalouf states, Identity isnt given once and for all it is build up and changes throughout a persons lifetime. The essence of Maaloufs argument is our identity changes over time and different components are added everyday, changing our identity as a whole. He gives a great example of an African baby born(p) in New York, compared to if it was born in Lagos, Pretoria, or Launda. The child would have completely different experiences by the age of 10, and each experience would drastically change its identity. Maalouf also argues that people view themselves by the allegiance that is most threatened. Thus, the reason Maalouf believes killers are made.He argues that, We have only the events of the last few y ears to see what any valet community that feels humiliated or fears for its existence will tend to begin killers. It his human nature to defend ones self when ruling threatened. Maalouf agrees when he says, There is a Mr. Hyde inside each of us. What we have to do is prevent the conditions occurring that will bring the monster forth. In conclusion Maalouf urges us to prevent our selves from generalizing each other based on a single component of ones identity. He argues that this will prevent wars, murders, and holocausts.