The Sarcophagus of Identity

Tribalism, Nationalism, and the Transcendence of the Self
Erscheinungsjahr 2017
ISBN: 978-3-8382-1038-4
Verlag: ibidem

Buch, Englisch, 340 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Skelly, James

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Ethnologie | Volkskunde Ethnologie Kultur- und Sozialethnologie: Politische Ethnologie, Recht, Organisation, Identität
• Sozialwissenschaften Ethnologie | Volkskunde Volkskunde Volkskunde: Sitten, Traditionen, Mythen, Legenden

Über Autor(innen)

James M. Skelly is director of the Centre on Critical Thinking, which he founded, and a faculty member at the Institute for Social and European Studies in Köszeg, Hungary. He served as the director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and professor of peace studies at Juniata College in Pennsylvania, and has held teaching posts and lectured in countries throughout the world.

As a young U.S. military officer, his refusal to serve in Vietnam led to his federal lawsuit, Skelly v. Laird, against the United States Secretary of Defense, which helped to redefine the criteria for in-service conscientious objection. During this period, he worked actively against the war in South East Asia through several groups which he helped to found including the Concerned Officers' Movement. Following his honorable discharge, he worked with Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, and other entertainment industry figures, as the advance man and political coordinator for the "FTA" show which was designed to encourage U.S. soldiers and sailors to freely express their opposition to continuation of the war in Southeast Asia.