The Good Fight cover image

The Good Fight

Charles Taylor on Identity and Modernity

Oct 12, 2024
In this discussion, Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor delves into the evolution of identity, contrasting modern and historical perspectives. He explores the crucial role of religion in today's society and examines how individual beliefs shape personal and communal identities. Taylor also critiques liberalism, discussing its impact on religious expression and the challenges of fostering inclusivity in a diverse world. His philosophical insights shed light on how we navigate our identities in the context of cultural exchange and societal expectations.
01:09:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The modern understanding of identity emphasizes individualism and personal narratives, contrasting with the collective identity concepts of the past.
  • The significance of group identities, shaped by affiliations such as nationality or religion, coexists with individual identity in today's society.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Identity in Modern Society

The modern understanding of identity has shifted significantly from historical perspectives, emphasizing individual identity and its formation. Today, individuals articulate their identity through personal values and beliefs that guide their decisions, which may include religion, nationality, or other core aspects of their existence. This shift stems partly from the influence of romanticism, suggesting that everyone is unique in their identity and must contribute to its interpretation. As such, the notion of identity is now intimately linked with self-discovery and personal narrative, a departure from the more collective identity concepts prevalent in the past.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode