Why does man need to compare himself with others to define himself? Is man capable of forming a society in which only the necessary connections between individuals constitute the most basic foundations of the human condition? The world we live in is vast and has a web of social interconnections and we can no longer simply identify ourselves in simple terms. When one is born, they are not simply placed into a family identity, but along with that family comes a national, racial, economic, religious, social, and historical identity, all determined before we even take our first breath. An identity based on a person's actual character develops later in life, long after those predetermined identities have taken root. These multifaceted identities must be able to coexist, otherwise the individual or society is put to the test to reconcile any incompatibilities. Are these identities even a necessity for modern society or are they just a man-made pseudo-social structure? The first identities assigned to each person are based on historical meaning - a factor that should never exclusively determine an identity, especially in the modern era. form of primary identity. It seems completely counterintuitive to ascribe to a person an identity based on the identity of another, even if it is that of a parent. An identity should be a composition based solely on an individual's actions and experiences, not an imbued or assigned identity. When a child begins to develop a core idea of ​​self, it rarely coincides with these given identities and ultimately creates the need for rebellion. The extent of this rebellion is determined by factors including the expectations of friends, family and society. Degrees of variation… middle of paper… new experiences and we gain a new perspective on each other and ourselves. I fear a future in which similarity is adored and differences are hated. It seems to me that the ideal identity is that which is synonymous with the mathematical or philosophical definition: the relationship that everything has to itself and nothing else. If there is only one difference between two individuals, they are not similar identities but rather completely unique. Works Cited Ali, Wajahat. “The Domestic Crusaders.” McSweeney. 2011. PrintGay, Peter. “My question about German.” Yale University Press, 1999. Print. Joyce, James. "A portrait of the artist as a young man." Dover Publications, 1995. Print. Malcolm X. "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Penguin Modern Classics, 1965. Print.Remarque, Erich Maria. “All quiet on the Western Front.” 1st ed. New York: Glencoe McGraw Hill, 2000. Print.