Yearning for Performative Identity

Abstract

The author discusses the revived concept of identity which is common in contemporary political philosophy. This concept suggests that the question „who are you?” should be answered by reference to one’s actions and engagements. The author calls this notion of identity “performative identity” whose paradigmatic example is H. Arendt’s concept of identity. Recognizing the merits of such an account of identity, the author presents the its weaknesses in the form it took in the views of Hannah Arendt and her contemporary successors ( especially in those of Amy Gutmann). The author concludes with a proposal for improvements by discussing the concept of identity. In this way the conception of identity under discussion is more convincing. The focus on individuals as deliberating agents capable of acting on principle is a source of fruitful ideas that arise in the development of the concept of performative identity.