The Lies that Bind: Rethinking Identity

A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year As seen on the Netflix series ExplainedFrom the best-selling author of Cosmopolitanism comes this revealing exploration of how the collective identities that shape our polarized world are riddled with contradiction. Who do you think you are? That’s a question bound up in another: What do you think you are? Gender. Religion. Race. Nationality. Class. Culture. Such affiliations give contours to our sense of self, and shape our polarized world. Yet the collective identities they spawn are riddled with contradictions, and cratered with falsehoods. Kwame Anthony Appiah’s The Lies That Bind is an incandescent exploration of the nature and history of the identities that define us. It challenges our assumptions about how identities work. We all know there are conflicts between identities, but Appiah shows how identities are created by conflict. Religion, he demonstrates, gains power because it isn’t primarily about belief. Our everyday notions of race are the detritus of discarded nineteenth-century science. Our cherished concept of the sovereign nation―of self-rule―is incoherent and unstable. Class systems can become entrenched by efforts to reform them. Even the very idea of Western culture is a shimmering mirage. From Anton Wilhelm Amo, the eighteenth-century African child who miraculously became an eminent European philosopher before retiring back to Africa, to Italo Svevo, the literary marvel who changed citizenship without leaving home, to Appiah’s own father, Joseph, an anticolonial firebrand who was ready to give his life for a nation that did not yet exist, Appiah interweaves keen-edged argument with vibrant narratives to expose the myths behind our collective identities. These “mistaken identities,” Appiah explains, can fuel some of our worst atrocities―from chattel slavery to genocide. And yet, he argues that social identities aren’t something we can simply do away with. They can usher in moral progress and bring significance to our lives by connecting the small scale of our daily existence with larger movements, causes, and concerns. Elaborating a bold and clarifying new theory of identity, The Lies That Bind is a ringing philosophical statement for the anxious, conflict-ridden twenty-first century. This book will transform the way we think about who―and what―“we” are.

Details e-book The Lies that Bind

🗸 Author(s): Kwame Anthony Appiah
🗸 Title: The Lies that Bind: Rethinking Identity
🗸 Rating : 4.5 from 5 stars (292 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about The Lies that Bind by Kwame Anthony Appiah

Bluebell Whittaker
Discover the untold stories of women who have shaped history with this illuminating collection of biographies. From pioneering scientists to revolutionary activists, each chapter shines a light on the remarkable achievements of women throughout the ages. With its inspiring tales of courage and resilience, this book is a celebration of female empowerment and achievement.

Sherree Franklin
Embark on a thrilling adventure with this gripping mystery novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Set in a picturesque village plagued by secrets and lies, the story follows a determined detective as he unravels the truth behind a series of baffling crimes. With its clever plot twists and compelling characters, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Ronae Berry
This captivating memoir offers a deeply personal glimpse into the life of a remarkable individual, whose journey from hardship to triumph serves as an inspiration to us all. From humble beginnings to extraordinary achievements, the author's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. With its raw honesty and heartfelt emotion, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope.

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