IDENTITY |
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Identity is the unity of being, of total consistency and person equality. It concerns the set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual |
sense of personal identification with Europe |
The sense of personal identification with Europe is called pan-European identity. People of Europe have a distinctive set of political, economic and social norms and values that are slowly diminishing and replacing existing national or state-based norms and values. European culture has not led to a geopolitical unit. As with the constructed nation, it might well be the case that a political or state entity will have to prefigure the creation of a broad, collective identity. At present, European integration co-exists with national loyalties and national patriotism.
A development of European identity is regarded as a vital objective in pursuing the establishment of a politically, economically and militarily influential united Europe in the world. It equally importantly supports the foundations of common European values, such as of fundamental human rights and spread of welfare. European identity is promoted through funding of educational exchange programmes, the renovation of key historical sites, the promulgation of a progressive linear history of Europe terminating in European integration, and through the promotion and encouragement of political integration. The European Parliament is trying to cultivate a "European identity," with top officials saying that it is the only way to ensure a lasting union between member states. "National systems have very much invested in constructing their own identity," Klaus Welle, the secretary general of the European Parliament told an audience at the Centre for European Policy Studies, a think-tank, on Thursday (29 March 2012). "If we want to build a lasting union of solidarity we also need to invest in European identity. We need to understand history as European history and not just as compilation of national histories." Referring to his native Germany, Welle noted that people speak of the country as if it has existed forever. But the modern German state was created in 1871. Before that there was the German Confederation, which also included Prussia and Austria. Up until Napoleon's time, there used to be around 300 German-speaking statelets under the Holy Roman Empire. "It [1871] is very recent. We have reconstructed our own history as if we have always had a nation state which is completely false and untrue," he added. "In order to stabilise identity, we have created national museums, we have created national curricula, we have reconstructed national history." The parliament is now seeking to carry out a similar exercise. The recently-opened Parliamentarium - a visitor-cum-exhibition centre - is "one attempt to contribute to a European identity. There are others, e.g. "House of History" - the brainchild of former parliament president Hans Gert Poettering The parliament is also "rediscovering" the fact that it owns the house lived in by Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the European Union |
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Going Beyond Modernity to Identity Politics |
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REMEMBER THE RELIGIOUS ROOTS OF LIBERAL THOUGHT |
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UNLIMITED IDENTITY |
In October 2015, the Veerstichting organized the symosium with the theme 'Unlimited Identity". The Veerstichting is dedicated to inspire and be inspired. It is a philosophical theme at the interface of people, organization and society. The themes reflect emerging trends and encourage participants to mingle in lively discussions.
Looking for guidance in a world full of change: does the fact that you have your passport by definition a true citizen? What is left of East Germans after the fall of the Wall? How universal are our Western ideas still in a world of Muslim extremism, homophobia in Russia and powerful undemocratic states like China? All these questions have one thing in common: they have to do with the way our identity in today's world is changing. In October 2015, the Veerstichting organized the symosium with the theme 'Unlimited Identity". The Veerstichting is dedicated to inspire and be inspired. It is a philosophical theme at the interface of people, organization and society. The themes reflect emerging trends and encourage participants to mingle in lively discussions. |
Looking for guidance in a world full of change: does the fact that you have your passport by definition a true citizen? What is left of East Germans after the fall of the Wall? How universal are our Western ideas still in a world of Muslim extremism, homophobia in Russia and powerful undemocratic states like China? All these questions have one thing in common: they have to do with the way our identity in today's world is changing.
From your family to your local football club, from your religion to your hobbies. These are all things that we feel close to and that are part of the way we see ourselves. Your identity is the one that connects you as an individual with groups of people. It gives people a purpose in their life and provides a safe haven in times of uncertainty. But what if you feel connected with something that is changing at a rapid pace, what then is left of your identity? Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter allow the connectedness in the world is stronger than ever. The large migration flows from south to north, the rapid rise of China and India as economic giants and the sudden emergence of the Islamic State are characteristic of today's world in which major changes and shifts follow one another in rapid succession. All this has an effect on your identity. It is diverse and is constantly changing. We feel today connected to all kinds of groups, not only close but also away from home. Simultaneously, the groups to which we belong change faster than ever: our environment, after all, does not stay the same and we also often deliberately choose to be part of new groups. So now you will not be surprised when you will be looked when you changes over again your election party. The EU forces us to choose between the national government and Brussels. The role of the pastor is marginalized to many people in the West within a generation, while others exchange their national house for a trench in Syria or Iraq. But offers the diverse identities that are constantly in motion still enough support? Do we have any idea where we belong and where we stand in a world where Western values are no longer self-evident? Ar we in an identity crisis? Or provides a limitless identity precisely new opportunities? For example, we can now more than ever be conscious of who we are and who we want to be. |
SEARCH FOR A (COMMON) IDENTITY (in 3 parts) |
Search for a (common) identity is also addressed at the Nexus Institute. During the conference 'Identity Please!' this issue was examined by asking questions such as who are we, and who do we want to be? What makes us into a society? Can we make do, must we make do with only political and social values, or do we also need cultural values to determine our identity? If we do, what values are these, and what significance do they have for life in a multicultural society? What is still specifically European about European humanism in such a society? Why does our identity seem to be continually shrinking (limiting itself to nation, family, group) instead of expanding (making us Europeans, world citizens)? And what role can be assigned to religious values in a secular society? Should minorities be allowed to publicly live out the teachings of their religions? What future is there for a Europe without a European spirit? |
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1. EUROPEAN HUMANISM AND THE MUSE
Nicholas Mann worked on depth research into the life and work of Francesco Petrarca. The most important thing I've inherited, is the image that we are dwarves who sit on the shoulders of giants. These giants are the "idols" of the past, where we sometimes create an ideal of it. Because those "giants" have done and gained much research and knowledge, we as well-educated Westerners have to do much less effort to create the same level to achieve, or even to transcend it. Lewis Lockwood, a student of Beethoven, began his introduction by saying that Petrarch is quite unknown, and that his Beethoven has a lot more fame. He continued to lay the connection between Beethoven and European humanism. Also, he read a piece of a letter ever written by the composer. Here Beethoven warns against commercialism and exploitation of publishers of the artist. "The human mind can not be sold as a piece of cheese." All professors brougt their own personality. David Dubal ended all his comments with a joke. The full house could have a good laugh, and it made sphere, but he did not add anything useful to the debate. Finally they came out at the point which is also mentioned earlier by George Steiner: that man wants to make himself immortal through art. There were also briefly talks about the relationship between art and religion. It is noted that artists and performers do not want to explain the deeper meaning behind their works, but that theologians wants gladly to explain how it is with the above observable. What both art and religion are having in itself: it gives hope.
3. IDENTITY, PLEASE! The last part was a debate round with Jonathan Israel, Francis Fukuyama, Avishai Margalit, Bassam Tibi and Adam Zamoyski. Rob Riemen asked them what the unifying factor in Europe was, and what it will be. Historically, religion tied Europe together, which will bind Europe together now? Avishai Margalit clarified why he thinks Europe was not tied by religion. According to him it was the technological revolution that took place in Europe some 250 years ago. At that time no other part of the world one was so advanced. He thought it was too early to say which way Europe will go. But he thought that the states will strengthen mutual. The opinions of the intellectuals on the genesis and the unifying factors of Europe were quite different. According to Bassam Tibi, Europe arose in Charlemagne in the time of Charlemagne when he drove out Islam. |