Original scientific paper
Identity Strategies: In Search of Meaning
Zdenko ZEMAN
Abstract
The topic of the text is sociological understanding of identity.
Drawing on the statement that in contemporary sociology
there is no single-valued concept of identity, the author does
not suggest a simple definition, but rather certain thematic-
-problematic dimensions and aspects he considers as
necessary components of any attempt at sociological
comprehension of this extremely important topic. It is done in
two steps. First, the author analyses the concepts of identity
elaborated in the past fifteen years by sociologists Anthony
Giddens, Jean-Claude Kaufmann and Manuell Castells.
Next, based also on the findings in the first part, the author
sketches the outlines of a possible phenomenology of
identity. The list of key characteristics of identity has to
include the understanding that identity is not something
finite, but something to be constructed, a strategically contemplated and developed process, a reflexive project that
does not neglect the past, but is quintessentially turned
towards the future. As such, identity is an important factor of
social conflicts, which is predominantly "nurtured" by culture,
and hides in its heart the most important question – that of
the meaning of life.
Keywords
identity; identity strategies; reflexiveness; the meaning of life; freedom
Hrčak ID:
19180
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2007.
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