Who do I say that I am? : identity as a construct and its implications for Christian anthropology

The question of identity is one of the pressing issues for many disciplines, and is a key question in feminist theory. Theorists occupy diverse positions across a spectrum. At one end there are those who believe there is something "essential" which defines us (both as individuals and in groups). At the spectrum’s other end are those who take the view that identity is constructed - whether unconsciously through the practices identified by interactions, through performances of the body. This study seeks to explore some of these understandings of identity, using a specifically post-structuralist feminist lens which, inter alia directly challenges the dualisms upon which western philosophy is founded. Having outline some approaches to the question of identity, the study concludes by examining some of the consequences and possibilities for Christian anthropology in its understanding of what it means to be human and how the human person can be said to constitute the Imago Dei.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Religious Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Trisk, Janet Elizabeth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cochrane, James

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9779

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9779