Abstract

The theme of identity is of central importance for the work of sociologists, cultural anthropologists, historians of religion, political scientists, biologists, geneticists, phylologists, logicians, legal scholars, linguists and semiologists. Their research contributions are without doubt productive. However, my approach differs completely. My aim is to investigate the term identity by using philosophical categories, on the one hand, and ethics of communication on the other. I first attempt at clarifying certain problems that characterize the concept of identity. I focus in particular on the relationship between the concepts of "identity" and "alterity". I then analyze these problems in relation to the specific praxis of communication. Within the framework of this investigation I formulate an idea of communication that differs from the currently mos widespread ones and I point out its unique ethical value. nema