Identity and Difference Contemporary Debates on the Self [Paperback]

This book provides a persuasive account of how identity and difference factor in the debate on the self in the humanities. It explores this topic by applying the question to fields such as philosophy, cultural studies, politics and race studies. Key themes discussed in this collection include authenticity in Michel de Montaignes essays, the limits of the narrative constitution of the self, the use and abuse of the notion of human nature in political theory and in the current political context of multiculturalism, and the feminist notion of the erotic and of sexual violence. This book will appeal to readers with an interest in new perspectives on the self within the humanities.

Introduction Identity and Difference: Rafael Winkler, University of Johannesburg.- 1. Persons, Characters and the Meaning of Narrative: Alfonso Munoz Corcuera, National Autonomous University of Mexico.- 2. Rethinking Narrativity: Hanne Jacobs, Loyola University Chicago.- 3. Being my-self? Montaigne on difference and authenticity: Vincent Caudron, KU Leuven.- 4. Specifically Human? The limited conception of self-consciousness in theories of reflective endorsement: Irene Bucelli, Kings College London.- 5. Making the case for political anthropology: Understanding and resolving the backlash against liberalism: Rockwell Clancy, University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.- 6. The Decentred Autonomous Subject: Kathy Buttersworth, University of Kent.- 7. Exploring Rape as a Crime Against the Erotic: Louise du Toit, Stellenbosch University.- 8. Making Mischief: Thinking Through Womens Solidarity And Sexuate Difference with Lucy Irigary and Gayatri Spivak: Laura Roberts, The University of Queensland, Australia.- 9.