ah

Identity is important because it allows people to say that they are part of something

For example, as an american I can do pretty much whatever I want and be considered an american

identity is not necessarily important, it's just a trick that holds over from days when group thinking was much more valuable to the survival of the species

Because america is thought of as a melting pot theres virtually no issue with me considering myself an american

ummm

personal identity is important, but identifying with others helps you interact in the society without having to personally negotiate and decide every interaction based on your personal identity

If you go to a more restrictive country like say, saudi arabia it would be much harder to belong to that group

it's a shorthand

And if you dont think you belong to a group you are much more likely to be ok with actions against it

identity is not self-given
it is a higher concept to which people adhere
and it is not associating that gives you an identity
but acting / being based on that higher concept

If you dont consider yourself a black person you might be much more apathetic to anti black propganda

not necessarily

identity refers to multiple things

a higher concept may be the determining factor in identity, but to value that higher concept is self-determined

so whether or not we value identity is self-determined?
i agree.

no, what we identify as or identify with is self determined

Identity as a concept is inherently valuable

that's why delusions exist, when a person has determined an identity that is incongruous with reality

It gives a person a sense of belonging and a higher purpose

@GoldenPhoenix, yes by definition

But as pheonix says, what groups you belong to and consider yourself to be are determined by you

It is also within your power to alter the definitions of groups to include yourself, though this may not be accepted by other members of that identity

so identity as a concept, while valuable to an individual, are not necessary in the strictest sense. they act as a summary of your personal beliefs about the universe and allow you to speed up your interactions, but that's not always required

for example, I identify as a libertarian, but that identity is not definitive to who I am as a whole, and I could just as easily state my exact beliefs rather than that shorthand

ummmm
okay
but can you give a concise answer to my question then?

no, because the question of "is identity vital to all societies?" is very nuanced and dependent on definitions and factors. the shortest answer is "it depends"

if you cant, why did you attempt it?

because it's an important discussion that could possibly be reasoned out with discussion, and sometimes the attempt is more important than the answer

yo,
while i, and i hope most of you,
condemn identity politics,
i would say identity is still
vital to any and all societies.
I am not politically apt,
so please, if any of you are,
give an opinion I can comprehend.

fine

Identity politics is, ironically, the polar opposite of personal identity.

politics =/= identity

I would also not agree that identity is important to a society, in fact it should not be at all considered on any legislative, executive or judicial level.

I think it's important to distinguish that society =/= government

it is not important because... ?

It is important to the individual itself.

how are they exclusive?

But your identity is not important to me, just like my identity is not important to you.

and why is that?

it is important to individuals, and individuals make up society, but society as a collective group shouldn't place extra value on identity