I have been slow to post a quick review of Amartya Sen’s Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny, but I wanted to post just to draw some attention to it as most people in my circles are not aware of it.
The illusion of destiny refers to the illusion of a singular identity that draws people into a narrow perspective of who they are, who others are, and how they are to relate across boundary lines. Singular identity is a myth or illusion because each of us has many identities. I am American, I am man, I am a Christian, I am a Philippines resident, I am an educator, I am an organizational leader….. We are all so much more gloriously complex than what we are tempted to believe and that opens far more doors for connection across difference than we often see.
The illusion of a singular identity leads to what he calls the miniaturization of people. People get reduced to a singular identity and this leads to dehumanization, lack of choices, and ultimately to violence. In the book, Sen gives a strong critique of various experiences of multiculturalism. He doesn’t dismiss it out of hand, but he argues that freedom is needed within the understanding of differences – freedom to choose identities and choose behaviors. We are not trapped by our culture or whatever identities we have inherited or assigned by society.
It’s a similar book to Amin Maalouf’s In the Name of Identity and each make some similar arguments. Identity needs to be secure, but some of it needs to be flexible or adaptable to bridge difference and sow for peace in a divided world. I recommend both of these books. I probably enjoyed Maalouf’s a little better, but reading both really strengthen the depths of what these two author’s are arguing for the sake of modern society.
