Inclusionism Core
Identity
The persistent pattern through which an agent understands itself and is understood by others across time.
This page presents the Inclusionism canon's treatment of Identity. Inclusionism was developed by James Felton Keith and is published with the Keith Institute.
Definition
The persistent pattern through which an agent understands itself and is understood by others across time.
Inclusionist Perspective
Identity is neither purely individual nor purely social.
Identity emerges through the ongoing interaction between self-perception and external recognition.
Core Principle
Identity is continuously negotiated rather than permanently fixed.
Inclusionist Perspective
As individuals participate in communities, communities influence identity.
As individuals differentiate themselves, they influence communities.
Identity therefore exists within a dynamic relationship between agency and belonging.
Relational Identity
Identity is experienced internally and represented relationally by others.
When 100 people observe one person, there may be 101 identities in the relational sense: the person's self-understanding and 100 representations formed through observation and interaction. These are not 101 biological persons, equally authoritative factual accounts, or fixed essences.
Relational representations can shape trust, access, opportunity, exclusion, recognition, and agency. They do not give observers ownership of the person's identity. Contextual Legitimacy and Relational Interpretation examines these representations while preserving self-definition and Self Sovereignty.
Relationships
Core Question
How do agents maintain continuity while continuously changing?