Identity and Violence

by Amartya Sen
Identity and Violence cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Politics and Current Affairs
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  • ID: 3363
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780141027807
  • Publisher: Penguin Books India
  • Published: 2007-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Identity and Violence,' Amartya Sen delves into the complex interplay between individual identity and collective violence. He argues that many contemporary conflicts stem from rigid notions of who we are and who we are not, often defined by local, national, or religious affiliations. Sen's analysis challenges the simplistic categorizations that drive division and offers a nuanced perspective on how we can move beyond these harmful identities./n/nSen's work is not just a critique but also a call to action, urging readers to recognize the fluidity and multiplicity of human identity. By embracing a more inclusive understanding of ourselves and others, Sen suggests, we can work towards a more peaceful and harmonious world. His insights are drawn from a wide range of disciplines, including economics, philosophy, and political science, making this a comprehensive exploration of a timely and critical issue.

Reviews
A Striped Armchair · 2013-01-09
impactful 4.75

The book is powerful and explores the tension between identities and the people who inhabit them. It is seen as one of the most impactful books the reviewer has ever read.

The reviewer is deeply moved by the book's exploration of the tension between identities and the people who inhabit them. They find the book to be one of the most powerful they have ever read, highlighting its ability to delve into the complexities of identity and the conflicts that arise from them. The reviewer appreciates Sen's nuanced approach and the book's relevance to contemporary issues. The book is seen as a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the multifaceted nature of human identity and the challenges it presents.

Quick quotes

    This book, one of the most powerful I've ever read, explores the tension between those identities and the people who inhabit them.

    I think it's one of the most important books I've read in a long time.

    Sen's argument is not just academic; it has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and our place in the world.

The Guardian · 2006-08-05
insightful 4.50

The book is impassioned and eloquent, offering a sustained critique of the 'solitarist' theory of human identity. It argues for a more nuanced understanding of identity that acknowledges its multifaceted nature.

The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful and moving exploration of identity. They appreciate Sen's eloquence and the depth of his argument against the 'solitarist' theory, which simplifies human identity into singular categories. The book is seen as a crucial read for understanding the complexities of identity and the dangers of reductionist thinking. The reviewer highlights Sen's ability to make abstract concepts accessible and relevant, making the book both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Quick quotes

    Impassioned, eloquent and often moving, Identity and Violence is a sustained attack on the 'solitarist' theory which says that human identities are singular and mutually exclusive.

    Sen's argument is not just academic; it has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and our place in the world.

    The book is a powerful antidote to the simplistic and dangerous notions of identity that fuel conflict and division.

The New York Times · 2006-05-14
persuasive 4.00

The book is thought-provoking and persuasive, arguing for a more reasonable and nuanced understanding of human identity. It challenges the 'solitarist' approach and advocates for recognizing the multiplicity of identities.

The reviewer is struck by the book's persuasive argument against the 'solitarist' approach to identity. They find Sen's exploration of the multiplicity of identities both reasonable and bewildering in the best sense, as it challenges conventional wisdom. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to make complex ideas accessible and its relevance to contemporary discussions about identity and conflict. The book is seen as a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about how we understand and navigate our identities in a complex world.

Quick quotes

    Sen's book argues for the reasonableness of that bewilderment. He takes aim at what he calls the 'solitarist' approach to human identity.

    The book is a powerful antidote to the nationalist backlash and the temptation to put people into nationalist boxes.

    Sen's argument is not just academic; it has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and our place in the world.

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