Abstract

The question of the relationship between the essence of a person and the forms of their identity is becoming one of the most pressing issues, both theoretically and practically. The essence of a person is not fully present in their actual existence, but rather “exists” as an ideal image, while the set of a person’s identities is directly observable. Can we say that the essence of a person is manifested through their system of identity, or is identity, especially when externally imposed, poorly aligned with their essence and only serves to obscure their true identity? The complexity of this problem is exacerbated by the growing prevalence of multiple identities, in which individuals are forced to position themselves within a variety of social and other relationships due to the increasing number of connections they enter into. In the future, there may be a differentiation within a single dimension of identity, for example, religious identity based on one’s attitude toward religion, where a person identifies with not one but several religions. This is a more complex form of identity, and it significantly disrupts the connection between a person’s essence and the forms of their identity. Multiple identities make it difficult for society to consolidate and form a consensus. Instead, society is divided into social segments with distinct aspirations and interests, often conflicting and even opposing each other. At the same time, situational multiple identities can even be productive, allowing for the formation of highly dynamic communities that meet the demands of our time.  The disadvantages of multiple identities turn into advantages when there is a need for short-term social groups constructed for specific and termporary goals. Thus, the issues raised are of a multifaceted in nature. This article focuses on this complex set of issues..