What about Me?: the struggle for identity in a market-based society: Paul Verhaeghe, Jane Hedley-Prole: 9781922070906: Amazon.com: Books
See this imageWhat about Me?: the struggle for identity in a market-based societyPaperback – March 31, 2014
by Paul Verhaeghe (Author), Jane Hedley-Prole (Translator)
4.7 out of 5 stars 16 customer reviews
-----------------
Editorial Reviews
Review
'[An] intriguing study of modern identity'(Canberra Times)
'This book begins quietly and slowly builds in power and eloquence as it illuminates the impact of the past 30 years of neo-liberal ideology on our sense of identity.' PICK OF THE WEEK(Cameron Woodhead The Age)
‘Remarkable … What About Me? is one of those books that, by making connections between apparently distinct phenomena, permits sudden new insights into what is happening to us and why.’(George Monbiot The Guardian)
‘Paul Verhaeghe brilliantly captures the long-term impact that living in a profit-obsessed society has had on our psychology. An excellent book.'(Hanif Kureishi)
About the Author
Paul Verhaeghe is professor of clinical psychology and psychoanalysis at the University of Ghent in Belgium, and is also in private practice. He is the author of Narcissus in Mourning, and Love in a Time of Loneliness. The American edition of On Being Normal and Other Disorders (2002) was awarded the Goethe Prize. What About Me? The struggle for identity in a market-based society was published in German, English, Chinese, Korean and Slovenian.
Product details
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Scribe US; US edition edition (March 31, 2014)
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Arjun
4.0 out of 5 starsCapitalism and identity-formationNovember 19, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Short read by a Belgian psychoanalyst, working in the Lacanian framework, on the relationship between identity and neo-liberal market society. Speaking from his perspective as a psychologist, the author investigates the formation of identity through the use of the Lacanian notion of the 'mirror'; i.e. we become what we perceive others thinking we should be. Thus, the formation of identity is inextricably bound with ethical notions. Contrasting the ideal situation in which identity is formed with market society, the author finds that the values and ethics behind the global push of market society (which hide under a supposed economic rationality) mean that a different process of identity formation is taking place, and had taken place over the last 30 years. The rest of the book is an investigation into what exactly these hidden values are, and how the formation of individual identity is accordingly affected by this new change in the game, concluding with his assessment and recommendation of what needs to be done.
The author, like Freud (an identification he makes clear in his introduction), does not shy away from a clear ethical standpoint ; he regards the neo-liberal orthodoxy as an ideology which has harmful consequences on the identity of the individual. His material is well-argued, and his obvious compassion is highly attractive, but the book is a little uneven in places. Also, he does not go into a great deal of depth with regards to his theorizing of psychological malfunction. It would have been great to witness a more direct linkage between Freudian/Lacanian notions of ideology, unconscious fantasy etc to the problem of identity-construction, but this is more of a personal peeve. As it stands, the book reads like a critique of capitalist society written from a psychologically-informed observer, which is probably how it was intended.
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lucky_me
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the best books I've read this year!!!!!!October 11, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
One of the best books I've read this year!!!!!! Great lecture by Dr. Verhaeghe on topics such as post-modern society, meritocracy, morality and values, neo-liberalism, for-profit education and health system, and psychodiagnostics! Dr. Verhaeghe makes a compelling argument by stressing his thesis on the development of identity through relational societal values. I recommend this reading to anyone who is looking to for revolutionary ideals against the Neo-Liberal Reich of our times!
4 people found this helpful
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Rupert Lewis
4.0 out of 5 starsThought provoking and balanced viewSeptember 27, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I have for a long-time felt at odds with my environment but not known why or what to do. This book doesn't answer all the questions and is certainly not proclaiming to do so but, it is an excellent acknowledgement of our current environment and the effects that it has on us. Whilst not taking a holier-than-thou approach it outlines faults in both extremes and how we ourselves may move to right some of these issues. I enjoyed the balanced arguments and the use of good supporting acknowledgements although, I have always found Michel Foucault hard going ... I might give him another try now. I am left feeling comforted in the knowledge that I am not alone and anxious about how I am going to continue my path onwards.
3 people found this helpful
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Nadine Barner
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommendedFebruary 25, 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
The title is misleading and probably should have stayed IDENTITY as it was meant too.
A fabulous book that takes you on a journey of discovery of the self vs society and culture. At times hard to digest but from my perspective, so true.
Highly recommended for those interested in understanding the malaise we all feel in our socity.
One person found this helpful
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Dr. Eileen Quinn Knight
5.0 out of 5 starsFive StarsSeptember 26, 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Although steeped in psychoanalysis, I found this book very profound in attempting to understand adolescence.
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Bibliomancer
4.0 out of 5 starsThis book identifies & attempts to unravel many of the ...July 4, 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book identifies & attempts to unravel many of the sources of the perceptive person's cognitive dissonance with today's world. The sense that"things (government, religion, ethics etc) aren't working any more" are addressed in a reasoned way. Well worth reading
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M. Greenwald
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellant book!March 7, 2017
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This book met all expectations! It's a great learning guide for a novelist in psychology. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to read this book.
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Medgeniva
4.0 out of 5 starsSurprisingly originalOctober 2, 2014
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This book is just what the doctor ordered. I'd been waiting for a publication like that. But I'd also been apprehensive before I started reading it: what if it was full of banalities and commonplaces? What if the author was going to offer implausible solutions? Etc. However I was positively surprised by the scientific underpinnings of this work, by clear logical explanations and by how its content resonated with my feelings about what's happening now to an individual in society. At times it seemed to me a bit moralizing though, therefore four stars.
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Preview
What about Me? the struggle for identity in a market-based society
by
Paul Verhaeghe
3.88 · Rating details · 895 Ratings · 68 Reviews
According to current thinking, anyone who fails to succeed must have something wrong with them. The pressure to achieve and be happy is taking a heavy toll, resulting in a warped view of the self, disorientation, and despair. People are lonelier than ever before. Today's pay-for-performance mentality is turning institutions like schools, universities, and hospitals into bu...more
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Paperback, 272 pages
Published March 26th 2014 by Scribe (first published August 23rd 2012)
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
(showing 1-30)
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Jan 24, 2015Daniela rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: non-fiction
Before I start with my review, let me tell you that I am no expert on economics, so forgive me if I over-simplify.
In What about me Verhaeghe explains the connection between our meritocratic society and the increase of mental health problems like anxiety and depression that we are facing at the moment. His starting point is the theory of how our identities are mainly shaped by our surroundings, by the verbal and non-verbal messages we receive from our caretakers and society. Thus, the ideals and norms of the current society have a huge influence on how we perceive ourselves.
The Greeks and Romans thought that humans were inherently good, which is why their focus was on self- actualization. With the rise of Christianity, things shifted to the belief that humans were inherently bad and thus the focus turned to self-improvement. At the beginning of the 20th century, we firmly held the belief that societies are changeable and the search for the "perfect" society ensued.
Now we are at a point in time were we have seen many forms of society fail: fascism and communism among others, so the focus switched to the individual - while there can't be a perfect society, there can be a perfect human being, and we should all strive to be one. The crux is that in neo-liberalism being perfect means being productive (in measurable terms), which leads to many problems that we have to face today, especially in the mental health field. These problems are described in detail in the second half of the book.
What about Me puts into words a lot of the things I feel are wrong and unhealthy about our society, but that I could never clearly grasp. It's focus is on psychology (Verhaeghe is a psychoanalyst after all), but I feel people from all directions and professions can gain a lot from reading it. I really hope that this book will gain a wider audience, especially with people in the educational and medical field who are facing the most apparent negative side effects of neo-liberalism at the moment.
The only downside of this book is that it is very short on solutions, but maybe those don't exist yet. (less)
flag10 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 20, 2014Julie rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: society
Perhaps not a book to read if you're feeling depressed about the world, but interesting if you're curious to understand the why better: the author looks at many of the open wounds of neo-liberal societies and pokes freely, offering his thoughts on why things are the way they are and how it's screwing us, our mind and society itself over. It's an unapologetically partial book, but the thesis proposed is internally consistent.
The premises are like this. Nowadays, the economy exists above everything and has become an ideology in itself, that is used to determine the value of everything: from that of a hobby, or an intellectual achievement, to the value of the individual themselves. All you do must be to increase your market value and success must be attained in everything: exams, holidays, relationships, career, life... Because it's an ideology, it's defining a new set of morals and definition for what it means to be "good" and this shapes us, as our identity is derived from interacting with the environment.
The book touches on history and philosophy, ponders on humans as inherently good vs inherently bad, and as the author is a psychologist he also spends a few chapters on mental disorders and how they are defined and shaped by society. It seems that "mental disorders" are more "moral disorders" that happen when people are not complying with the social norms.
There's a chapter on meritocracy and its fallacies I quite liked. "Quality is determined by measurability; anything that can't be measured doesn't count." The upper group looks down on the others, believing they only have themselves to blame. That group itself is drowning in guilt and shame because it believes the same.
The last chapter does end up on a positive note, with some concrete things that can be done right now. The courage to speak out and associated examples particularly stood out to me. (less)
flag8 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 19, 2014Arjun Ravichandran rated it liked it · review of another edition
Short read by a Belgian psychoanalyst, working in the Lacanian framework, on the relationship between identity and neo-liberal market society. Speaking from his perspective as a psychologist, the author investigates the formation of identity through the use of the Lacanian notion of the 'mirror'; i.e. we become what we perceive others thinking we should be. Thus, the formation of identity is inextricably bound with ethical notions. Contrasting the ideal situation in which identity is formed with market society, the author finds that the values and ethics behind the global push of market society (which hide under a supposed economic rationality) mean that a different process of identity formation is taking place, and had taken place over the last 30 years. The rest of the book is an investigation into what exactly these hidden values are, and how the formation of individual identity is accordingly affected by this new change in the game, concluding with his assessment and recommendation of what needs to be done.
The author, like Freud (an identification he makes clear in his introduction), does not shy away from a clear ethical standpoint ; he regards the neo-liberal orthodoxy as an ideology which has harmful consequences on the identity of the individual. His material is well-argued, and his obvious compassion is highly attractive, but the book is a little uneven in places. Also, he does not go into a great deal of depth with regards to his theorizing of psychological malfunction. It would have been great to witness a more direct linkage between Freudian/Lacanian notions of ideology, unconscious fantasy etc to the problem of identity-construction, but this is more of a personal peeve. As it stands, the book reads like a critique of capitalist society written from a psychologically-informed observer, which is probably how it was intended. (less)
flag6 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 26, 2012Christophe Fierens rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Heel knap maar je moet er je hoofd bijhouden. Geen bedlectuur. Hier en daar een beetje tendentieus, maar de basisboodschap is er wat mij betreft knal op. Een boek om van te genieten (no pun intended :D).
flag4 likes · Like · comment · see review
Apr 10, 2015Hugo Leal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Paul Verhaege is a psychotherapist. He denounces the neo-liberal meritocracy as the cause for the increasing inequality for the rise in depression and and anxiety disorders among adults. In 2009, 1 in every 10 Belgians was taking anti-depressants and I suspect this number is higher in my home country, Portugal. Maybe we don't understand that our current society is the cause because it is much easier to see a society in retrospective. Also, this may be because we think we currently live in the best of all times. But, as the author says 'never in the West have we had it so good and never have we felt so bad'. "Our presumed freedom is tied to one central condition: we must be successful - that is, make something of ourselves." And , of course, in this meritocratic system, quality is determined by measurability: anything that can't be measured doesn't count. Our society teaches people to pursue their own advantage irrespective of and, if needs be, at the expense of the other. This leads to universal egotism.
I'm just going to quote a part of his criticism of global consumer society: "What life would be like in a society whose chief motto was that everything can be had. Imagine a society which taught that pain is exceptional and avoidable, and pleasure the normal state of being - that everything can be monitored and predicted, and that if, very occasionally, something goes wrong, it must always be someone's fault. In this society, to forbid a child something is almost tantamount to abusing him or her because children are perfect beings who are entitled to everything that money can buy. (...) Of course, there's no need to set up this experiment because it is already in full swing. Every flat screen, every billboard is constantly sendding us the following messages: all your wants can be met, there's a product for everything, and you don't need to wait until the afterlife for eternal bliss. Life is one big party, although there is one very important condition: you must make it." Brilliant (less)
flag3 likes · Like · comment · see review
Aug 29, 2014David rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: psychology
We simply do not hear enough about this subject of cultural psychopathology. Very broad-ranging commentary here which was often quite interesting. My only caveat is that this author depends too much on 'mirror neuron' theory, which is scientifically on very shaky ground (I looked up the papers myself) and perhaps a misreading of Dawkins' selfish gene theory, whose arguments were addressed to the question of the level of selection and the possibility of altruism. That being said, the author presented a case about how new-liberalism and meritocratic capitalism society can and does backfire into producing psychopathology in the younger generation, from ADHD to depression. Essentially, feeling depressed is a normal reaction to a messed up cultural and economic system, for example. I wanted to read more with an even greater level of evidence & substantiation. One hopes the author pursues this subject even further or for an academic readership. (less)
flag4 likes · Like · see review
Jul 08, 2018Tjen Wellens rated it really liked it · review of another edition
This book feels opinionated, unstructured and seems to have quite some gaps.
But it still is very valuable to me.
The ideas in this book are quite confronting to me. Seeing how much of my core beliefs are reduced as originating from the neoliberalistic belief system...
...it's unpleasant, but very much needed.
Also some things I feel are lacking in my life (and in society) are reduced to the very same belief system.
I do wish the book was structured less confusing, with less holes or unfinished reasoning. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Dec 29, 2014Niels rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: economics, in-prep, philosophy, politics, psychology, re-readable, read-in-english
Ever since I started Uni, I found myself looking for a narrative, my own kindof ideology, my way of viewing things to have a profound foundation to build debates and motivation. I'm probably not the only one in this quest, more and more people feel disconnected to the grand narratives of the day and how they map out the future. I will probably never reach a mental state where all puzzle pieces fall to place, where I can digest the ramblings of the present into a politico-philosophical view of society, which I can critically assess. Yet the search for this mental state is ever so much satisfying, altough very much not yet in reach.
I have lived, I have had academic classes in economics and politics, I have read books to search the puzzle pieces. Some handed me pretty straightforward ones, easily put in place and bright in colour. Others had no link whatsoever with the rest of the pieces already in place. What is missing is a coat rack, a sturdy table where I see the contours, or at least the shape the picture will take. I think - and this is the first time - that 'Identity' managed to do this, although I still need to grasp the full meaning of everything I've read. It gives a view of society that I had always thought of, but could never put into words or logic. It describes the malfunctions of the era we live in and gives a historical oversight in how we got here. It touches upon the shortcomings of politics, of ethics and moral, the consequences for our health, for our climate and our societal strings. It brings in (political and moral) philosophy, psychology and psychoanalytics.
What is more, it doesn't fall back into a corny "It's the state/the individual!"-debate. It even gives a direction to a solution which is not to find in economics nor politics nor something that has to do with ratio. Emotion, gut feeling, values, ethics lie are the foundations upon which long-standing and far-reaching change is built. Times they are a-changin'.
To sum up: all ingredients are here and marvelously intertwined with eachother. I feel this will be a central book for the years to come, and I must urge myself to constantly come back to to this one after I read another puzzle piece.
On to the next one. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Oct 18, 2016Thomas Andrew rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Great historical perspective to the development of norms and values within the greater perspective of biological and sociological evolution.
Its main thesis is that in the wake of the collapse of the traditional pillars of society - church, family, and economy - we have become all individualized in favor of a new decentralized authority and ideology: the market, leading to competition among individuals and a deconstruction of societal structures, isolating us all and making us all crazy and depressed, lonely, and unleashing a slew of new psychological disorders.
A tad bit sloppily organized, and occasionally reading like one long lecture or monologue, this book explains a lot of what you've probably been wondering: why do I feel like shit all the time? Unfortunately, like so many critical explorations of topics like this, it offers little in terms of solutions, other than a revaluation of our norms and ethics as an entire civilization in order to focus on what we really need, rather than want, in order to practice self-care within a greater societal system that better balances autonomy and cohesion. (less)
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Preview
What about Me? the struggle for identity in a market-based society
by
Paul Verhaeghe
3.88 · Rating details · 895 Ratings · 68 Reviews
According to current thinking, anyone who fails to succeed must have something wrong with them. The pressure to achieve and be happy is taking a heavy toll, resulting in a warped view of the self, disorientation, and despair. People are lonelier than ever before. Today's pay-for-performance mentality is turning institutions like schools, universities, and hospitals into bu...more
GET A COPY
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Online Stores ▾
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Paperback, 272 pages
Published March 26th 2014 by Scribe (first published August 23rd 2012)
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
(showing 1-30)
Rating details
Sort: Default
|
Filter
Jan 24, 2015Daniela rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: non-fiction
Before I start with my review, let me tell you that I am no expert on economics, so forgive me if I over-simplify.
In What about me Verhaeghe explains the connection between our meritocratic society and the increase of mental health problems like anxiety and depression that we are facing at the moment. His starting point is the theory of how our identities are mainly shaped by our surroundings, by the verbal and non-verbal messages we receive from our caretakers and society. Thus, the ideals and norms of the current society have a huge influence on how we perceive ourselves.
The Greeks and Romans thought that humans were inherently good, which is why their focus was on self- actualization. With the rise of Christianity, things shifted to the belief that humans were inherently bad and thus the focus turned to self-improvement. At the beginning of the 20th century, we firmly held the belief that societies are changeable and the search for the "perfect" society ensued.
Now we are at a point in time were we have seen many forms of society fail: fascism and communism among others, so the focus switched to the individual - while there can't be a perfect society, there can be a perfect human being, and we should all strive to be one. The crux is that in neo-liberalism being perfect means being productive (in measurable terms), which leads to many problems that we have to face today, especially in the mental health field. These problems are described in detail in the second half of the book.
What about Me puts into words a lot of the things I feel are wrong and unhealthy about our society, but that I could never clearly grasp. It's focus is on psychology (Verhaeghe is a psychoanalyst after all), but I feel people from all directions and professions can gain a lot from reading it. I really hope that this book will gain a wider audience, especially with people in the educational and medical field who are facing the most apparent negative side effects of neo-liberalism at the moment.
The only downside of this book is that it is very short on solutions, but maybe those don't exist yet. (less)
flag10 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 20, 2014Julie rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: society
Perhaps not a book to read if you're feeling depressed about the world, but interesting if you're curious to understand the why better: the author looks at many of the open wounds of neo-liberal societies and pokes freely, offering his thoughts on why things are the way they are and how it's screwing us, our mind and society itself over. It's an unapologetically partial book, but the thesis proposed is internally consistent.
The premises are like this. Nowadays, the economy exists above everything and has become an ideology in itself, that is used to determine the value of everything: from that of a hobby, or an intellectual achievement, to the value of the individual themselves. All you do must be to increase your market value and success must be attained in everything: exams, holidays, relationships, career, life... Because it's an ideology, it's defining a new set of morals and definition for what it means to be "good" and this shapes us, as our identity is derived from interacting with the environment.
The book touches on history and philosophy, ponders on humans as inherently good vs inherently bad, and as the author is a psychologist he also spends a few chapters on mental disorders and how they are defined and shaped by society. It seems that "mental disorders" are more "moral disorders" that happen when people are not complying with the social norms.
There's a chapter on meritocracy and its fallacies I quite liked. "Quality is determined by measurability; anything that can't be measured doesn't count." The upper group looks down on the others, believing they only have themselves to blame. That group itself is drowning in guilt and shame because it believes the same.
The last chapter does end up on a positive note, with some concrete things that can be done right now. The courage to speak out and associated examples particularly stood out to me. (less)
flag8 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 19, 2014Arjun Ravichandran rated it liked it · review of another edition
Short read by a Belgian psychoanalyst, working in the Lacanian framework, on the relationship between identity and neo-liberal market society. Speaking from his perspective as a psychologist, the author investigates the formation of identity through the use of the Lacanian notion of the 'mirror'; i.e. we become what we perceive others thinking we should be. Thus, the formation of identity is inextricably bound with ethical notions. Contrasting the ideal situation in which identity is formed with market society, the author finds that the values and ethics behind the global push of market society (which hide under a supposed economic rationality) mean that a different process of identity formation is taking place, and had taken place over the last 30 years. The rest of the book is an investigation into what exactly these hidden values are, and how the formation of individual identity is accordingly affected by this new change in the game, concluding with his assessment and recommendation of what needs to be done.
The author, like Freud (an identification he makes clear in his introduction), does not shy away from a clear ethical standpoint ; he regards the neo-liberal orthodoxy as an ideology which has harmful consequences on the identity of the individual. His material is well-argued, and his obvious compassion is highly attractive, but the book is a little uneven in places. Also, he does not go into a great deal of depth with regards to his theorizing of psychological malfunction. It would have been great to witness a more direct linkage between Freudian/Lacanian notions of ideology, unconscious fantasy etc to the problem of identity-construction, but this is more of a personal peeve. As it stands, the book reads like a critique of capitalist society written from a psychologically-informed observer, which is probably how it was intended. (less)
flag6 likes · Like · comment · see review
Nov 26, 2012Christophe Fierens rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Heel knap maar je moet er je hoofd bijhouden. Geen bedlectuur. Hier en daar een beetje tendentieus, maar de basisboodschap is er wat mij betreft knal op. Een boek om van te genieten (no pun intended :D).
flag4 likes · Like · comment · see review
Apr 10, 2015Hugo Leal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Paul Verhaege is a psychotherapist. He denounces the neo-liberal meritocracy as the cause for the increasing inequality for the rise in depression and and anxiety disorders among adults. In 2009, 1 in every 10 Belgians was taking anti-depressants and I suspect this number is higher in my home country, Portugal. Maybe we don't understand that our current society is the cause because it is much easier to see a society in retrospective. Also, this may be because we think we currently live in the best of all times. But, as the author says 'never in the West have we had it so good and never have we felt so bad'. "Our presumed freedom is tied to one central condition: we must be successful - that is, make something of ourselves." And , of course, in this meritocratic system, quality is determined by measurability: anything that can't be measured doesn't count. Our society teaches people to pursue their own advantage irrespective of and, if needs be, at the expense of the other. This leads to universal egotism.
I'm just going to quote a part of his criticism of global consumer society: "What life would be like in a society whose chief motto was that everything can be had. Imagine a society which taught that pain is exceptional and avoidable, and pleasure the normal state of being - that everything can be monitored and predicted, and that if, very occasionally, something goes wrong, it must always be someone's fault. In this society, to forbid a child something is almost tantamount to abusing him or her because children are perfect beings who are entitled to everything that money can buy. (...) Of course, there's no need to set up this experiment because it is already in full swing. Every flat screen, every billboard is constantly sendding us the following messages: all your wants can be met, there's a product for everything, and you don't need to wait until the afterlife for eternal bliss. Life is one big party, although there is one very important condition: you must make it." Brilliant (less)
flag3 likes · Like · comment · see review
Aug 29, 2014David rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: psychology
We simply do not hear enough about this subject of cultural psychopathology. Very broad-ranging commentary here which was often quite interesting. My only caveat is that this author depends too much on 'mirror neuron' theory, which is scientifically on very shaky ground (I looked up the papers myself) and perhaps a misreading of Dawkins' selfish gene theory, whose arguments were addressed to the question of the level of selection and the possibility of altruism. That being said, the author presented a case about how new-liberalism and meritocratic capitalism society can and does backfire into producing psychopathology in the younger generation, from ADHD to depression. Essentially, feeling depressed is a normal reaction to a messed up cultural and economic system, for example. I wanted to read more with an even greater level of evidence & substantiation. One hopes the author pursues this subject even further or for an academic readership. (less)
flag4 likes · Like · see review
Jul 08, 2018Tjen Wellens rated it really liked it · review of another edition
This book feels opinionated, unstructured and seems to have quite some gaps.
But it still is very valuable to me.
The ideas in this book are quite confronting to me. Seeing how much of my core beliefs are reduced as originating from the neoliberalistic belief system...
...it's unpleasant, but very much needed.
Also some things I feel are lacking in my life (and in society) are reduced to the very same belief system.
I do wish the book was structured less confusing, with less holes or unfinished reasoning. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Dec 29, 2014Niels rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: economics, in-prep, philosophy, politics, psychology, re-readable, read-in-english
Ever since I started Uni, I found myself looking for a narrative, my own kindof ideology, my way of viewing things to have a profound foundation to build debates and motivation. I'm probably not the only one in this quest, more and more people feel disconnected to the grand narratives of the day and how they map out the future. I will probably never reach a mental state where all puzzle pieces fall to place, where I can digest the ramblings of the present into a politico-philosophical view of society, which I can critically assess. Yet the search for this mental state is ever so much satisfying, altough very much not yet in reach.
I have lived, I have had academic classes in economics and politics, I have read books to search the puzzle pieces. Some handed me pretty straightforward ones, easily put in place and bright in colour. Others had no link whatsoever with the rest of the pieces already in place. What is missing is a coat rack, a sturdy table where I see the contours, or at least the shape the picture will take. I think - and this is the first time - that 'Identity' managed to do this, although I still need to grasp the full meaning of everything I've read. It gives a view of society that I had always thought of, but could never put into words or logic. It describes the malfunctions of the era we live in and gives a historical oversight in how we got here. It touches upon the shortcomings of politics, of ethics and moral, the consequences for our health, for our climate and our societal strings. It brings in (political and moral) philosophy, psychology and psychoanalytics.
What is more, it doesn't fall back into a corny "It's the state/the individual!"-debate. It even gives a direction to a solution which is not to find in economics nor politics nor something that has to do with ratio. Emotion, gut feeling, values, ethics lie are the foundations upon which long-standing and far-reaching change is built. Times they are a-changin'.
To sum up: all ingredients are here and marvelously intertwined with eachother. I feel this will be a central book for the years to come, and I must urge myself to constantly come back to to this one after I read another puzzle piece.
On to the next one. (less)
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Oct 18, 2016Thomas Andrew rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Great historical perspective to the development of norms and values within the greater perspective of biological and sociological evolution.
Its main thesis is that in the wake of the collapse of the traditional pillars of society - church, family, and economy - we have become all individualized in favor of a new decentralized authority and ideology: the market, leading to competition among individuals and a deconstruction of societal structures, isolating us all and making us all crazy and depressed, lonely, and unleashing a slew of new psychological disorders.
A tad bit sloppily organized, and occasionally reading like one long lecture or monologue, this book explains a lot of what you've probably been wondering: why do I feel like shit all the time? Unfortunately, like so many critical explorations of topics like this, it offers little in terms of solutions, other than a revaluation of our norms and ethics as an entire civilization in order to focus on what we really need, rather than want, in order to practice self-care within a greater societal system that better balances autonomy and cohesion. (less)
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