The sarcophagus of identity : tribalism, nationalism, and the transcendence of the self / James M. Skelly.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Skelly, James M., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Identity (Psychology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (316 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Stuttgart, Germany : Ibidem-Verlag, [2017]

Summary:

Given the increasing centrality of identity to contemporary politics, James Skelly's book provides a critical and useful analysis of the dominant and problematic conceptual bases for self and identity. Inspired in part by his lawsuit against the U.S. Secretary of Defense while serving as an active duty military officer, Skelly argues that our use of language in the construction of identities is unwitting, unreflective, and has engendered horrific consequences for tens of millions of humans. In contrast, he demonstrates our need to overcome sectarian modes of thinking and to engage in much deeper forms of solidarity with others by foregrounding a species identity. This book offers not only an academic reflection on the concept of identity but one that delves into the nature of the self and identity by drawing on Skelly's concrete experience of attempting to present a self-identity opposed to war in the face of the political, psychological, religious, and legal arguments put forth in a year-long legal battle with the United States government. Skelly argues that to create a new and more pacific human sensibility we must help ourselves and others to gain sovereignty over our social worlds and the definition of "who we are" by arming individuals with the tools necessary to overcome the definitions and categorizations we are subjected to in the construction of traditional notions of identity.

Contents:

Intro

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PREFACE

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

Larry Armstrong and Johnny Spain

CHAPTER II INSTITUTIONS AND THE POLITICS OF IDENTITY

A Personal Odyssey

A Child's Journey: Violence, Religion, &amp

Sex

The Republic Of Baseball

CHAPTER III LT. JAMES M. SKELLY, USN V. MELVIN LAIRD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

The Devil's Education

Harassed By a 'Soviet Spy Ship'

Augustine's Confession

Good Advice from an Undercover Cop

Lt. James Skelly, USN v Melvin Laird, Secretary of Defense

Reflections on Law and Identity

The High‐Ranking Librarian

CHAPTER IV IDENTITY IN THE WESTERN PHILOSOPHICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRADITION

Identity-Embedded and Disembedded

Identity Crises

Hints about the Dystopian Future of 'Identity'

Emil Kraepelin and His Patient

CHAPTER V IDENTITY AND MICRO‐POLITICS

Socialization

CHAPTER VI NATIONAL IDENTITY: ATTRACTIONS AND FLAWS

National Identity

CHAPTER VII CONCLUSION: WHAT IS TO BE DONE?

The Semiotic Problem of the Self

How to Proceed

BIBLIOGRAPHY &amp

REFERENCES

INDEX OF NAMES.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.