The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity Paperback – November 7, 2019

The Lies that Bind is an important book about an obviously important topic. Not many topics are discussed as often as identity but Kwame Appiah is still able to bring a fresh perspective to the subject all the while writing with clarity and in a style which can be understood by academics and non-academics alike. I happen to disagree with many of the conclusions but I will try to focus this review more on what the author wanted to say and less on my particular reactions.Appiah first recognizes the enormous importance given to issues of identity in the modern world. These identities— whether racial, religious, national or cultural—tend to be viewed through an essentialist lens: they are real things that express themselves in individuals.Appiah rightly dismantles the essentialist account. Instead he offers his own theory that identities are merely labels which correspond with certain expected behaviors and certain expected treatment by others. One can try to change these norms but the labels are shared by a wider community and so ultimately one must persuade the wider public that a change in attitude is necessary. (A recent example of this is society’s change in attitude towards homosexuals.)To accomplish this dismantling Appiah advances example upon example of the fluidity of identity labels. While gender may be appear to be binary there are in fact many intersex people. While we tend to view religions as creeds there are many different beliefs within one community. And while people do have different skin colors there is no such thing as a race.The problem with this dismantling is that Appiah oversimplifies the construction of these identities. While genetic aberrations may occur that make some people not fully biologically male or female this doesn’t prove that gender is a mere label anymore than any other genetic malfunction causes humanity to lack a certain characteristic. And while, in the wake of the Protestant Reformation, many churches began stressing their respective creeds, the example of many beliefs within one faith community does not prove that there are no core teachings any more than the fact that libertarians disagree on drug legalization proves that libertarians do not have an essential belief towards limited government. Finally, the idea that race as reported by the census bureau is largely a social construct does not mean that genetic differences don’t exist between different peoples around the world that can partially explain differences in culture.In short, while not an essentialist, I simply don’t agree that all identities are merely labels with no core meaning whatsoever. While sympathetic to Appiah’s defense of those marginalized by identity, I do not believe that all identities are lies which bind. Some identities are meaningful though Appiah’s deconstructions are worth considering before opting for a very rigid notion of identity.Wonderfully written with a sincere effort to provoke thought and better the world I do recommend this book to all even though I must disagree with some of its major conclusions.

I enjoy books written by philosophers for a general audience because they usually demonstrate such clear thinking. That is certainly the case with this book and the author has taken on an important and somewhat sensitive topic. He does an outstanding job of showing how the identities we take on are flawed and full of contradictions. We often have little in common with those with whom we identify . Therefore the title "The Lies That Bind". Interestingly enough though the author admits these identities are necessary for us to function well in society. I think the importance in this book and especially at this time lies in the fact that it so clearly emphasizes that we need to stop using identity as if everyone who takes on that identity has the same experiences, circumstances, or goals. That's the problem with the current identity politics. It doesn't recognize the fact that in the end we are all individuals. Highly recommended!

Kwame Anthony Appiah shows what classifies an identity or label. He exposes problems with these classifications being overgeneralized and how individuals identify with groups. This creates issues as identity is more complicated than just sorting categories to explain behavior or stereotyping. The author explains that this is human nature and serves a purpose. He elaborates on negative effects of this throughout history and contradictions made by other philosophers and scholars. Kwame Anthony Appiah dismantles concepts of identities using a personal and thorough tone. With a philosophically methodic approach, Appiah conveys to the reader his corroborating evidence to his points. This rhetoric leaves the reader overwhelmed with unfamiliar information and forces them to draw their own conclusions. Kwame Anthony Appiah leaves most his points open-ended at the end of each chapter. I believe this draws on his title of rethinking identity and was exactly what he set out to accomplish. The way the book flows, it sparks critical thinking. Most chapters start with a story of an individual, whose life doesn’t quite fit into a single identity or classification. Appiah throws historically “wrong” ideas, coupled with drawn out explanations with tons of supporting evidence pointing to theses lies. Then, reverts back to the persons story and leaves it up to the reader to form a conclusion. The concluding chapter was somewhat of a disappointment. Kwame Appiah Anthony does provide some closure and explain his thesis, but not with the same depth as he does throughout the book. He cites a poem and points out that it is meanings that groups attach to labels that matter. Interpretation of greater ideals and misinterpretations associated with groups lead to major misconceptions. It is my belief that this is what he implies with the title The Lies That Bind Us.It is an important topic that I think should be included in most people’s read list, hence the 4/5 stars. Kwame Anthony Appiah’s argument that the way we think of identity is flawed is well supported. While an exhausting read for me, it led to exploring more of Kwame Anthony Appiah’s work and was pleased to be introduced to Appiah’s scholarly articles. The anticlimactic nature of this book does not impede the authors message. The critical thinking sparked, could be considered overthinking but it ties back to his points, and so it makes sense after continuing to read. That being said, I was grateful to have gone down the “rabbit hole” and encourage others to read this book!

i’m still reading but i was happy to get it off here for a reasonable price !

Timely, thoughtful, challenging. I.

Appiah combines a sophisticated understanding of philosophy with insights provided by being a gay black man with roots in colonial Nigeria as well as in upper class England. The result is philosophical insight infused with skepticism that European thought holds all the answers.

Ich habe dieses Buch verschlungen und es hilft wirklich die Identitätsfrage auf ein neues Niveau zu heben. Er zeigt sehr schön auf wie man dieses Thema zum absurdum führt und diese vermeintlichen Gruppen gar nicht so krass zusammengehören wenn man tiefer bohrt. Echt klasse. Ich werde definitiv mehr von ihm lesen.

Good book, but maybe too academical and philosophical

Really wonderful book

Merci