This is the most important question man is faced with, because his self-perception guides his values and behaviours. The solution of the question will impact himself and as a consequence the environment. Therefore it is the most important individual and social question, whether it is avoided or solved in one cultural way or the other.
Therefore it is also not surprising that all civilisations and cultures on the on hand tend to agree on the prime importance of the question and as a consequence try to find culturally conditioned solutions to the question on the other hand.
According to the prevailing paradigm, philosophical, spiritual and, nowadays, supposedly more scientific ones, based on natural science and the humanities alike,
are offered. Social science offers cultural values models and the dynamics of group affiliation throughout socialization to answer the question on the assumption that man’s self-perception is a cultural construct. Here man’s identity is a matter of sociocultural conditioning in addition to unique individual and universal endowments which, nonetheless, are additional conditioners. So, the term conditioning prevails. Science concludes to science-specific determinisms which are also conditioned perception, and philosophical and spiritual answers as to man’s identity bear the conditioning hue of the ideology that acts as a filter of perception. Is there only relativity in the identity construction of man or is there anything that transcends ism-relative identity construction that explains man’s real identity and that can therefore appease man himself and his relations with other identity assumptions that tend to clash in the social arena, as they entail identity-specific values and behavioural patterns? This is a seemingly impossible question because man’s mind that tries to answer the question seems to be a time-relative construct itself which can therefore, similarly, offer only relative answers that are not time enduring, because that mind changes with its conditioning in time and therefore tends to provide relative answers. So, how can the quest for human identity be managed in a satisfactory way, a way that is not conducive to identity clashes based on identity mismanagement
Table of Contents
Part I
New Identity Horizons
1. Who is Man?
2. Mystery and Grace of the Encounter with One’s True Identity
3. Towards a Trans-cultural Identity and Enhanced Self-awareness
4. The Human Quest for Identity. Culture, identity and Pleasure
5. The “I” in the Area of Tension between Self-, Social- and Divine Perception
Part II
Papers on Identity Issues
6. Die deutsche Identität: Gedanken zur Identitätsfrage Deutschlands
7. Identity and Relationship as the Basis of Culture and Civilisation
8. Identity, Culture and Freedom
9. The Identity War: Divesity, Reciprocity and the Ethics of Peaceful Coexistence
10. Germany – Shedding a New Light on a Perennial Question
Part III
Reference Section: International Diversity and Identity Management
11. Synopsis of Cultural Diversity and Identity Management Instruments
12. Bilingual English-German Inter- and Transcultual Management Dictionary
Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore identity as a fundamental, yet often mismanaged, dimension of global management. The author examines how human self-perception, conditioned by culture, history, and individual experiences, serves as a critical driver for both conflict and sustainable cooperation in a globalizing world. The central research question focuses on how we can move toward a holistic, transcultural understanding of identity that reconciles individual, social, and transcendent dimensions, thereby preventing the divisive identity clashes that historically stem from "identity mismanagement."
- The role of "Identity Management" as a core competency in global and intercultural leadership.
- The critique of using culture as an instrument for division rather than a bridge for unity.
- A proposed "Transcultural Management Model" (DOME-12D) to visualize and manage diversity.
- The connection between identity, individual well-being (pleasure), and peaceful coexistence.
- The specific case study of Germany as a country navigating its complex historical-cultural legacy.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Who is Man?
This is the most important question man is faced with, because his self-perception guides his values and behaviours. The solution of the question will impact himself and as a consequence the environment. Therefore it is the most important individual and social question, whether it is avoided or solved in one cultural way or the other.
Therefore it is also not surprising that all civilisations and cultures on the on hand tend to agree on the prime importance of the question and as a consequence try to find culturally conditioned solutions to the question on the other hand.
According to the prevailing paradigm, philosophical, spiritual and, nowadays, supposedly more scientific ones, based on natural science and the humanities alike, are offered. Social science offers cultural values models and the dynamics of group affiliation throughout socialization to answer the question on the assumption that man’s self-perception is a cultural construct. Here man’s identity is a matter of sociocultural conditioning in addition to unique individual and universal endowments which, nonetheless, are additional conditioners. So, the term conditioning prevails. Science concludes to science-specific determinisms which are also conditioned perception, and philosophical and spiritual answers as to man’s identity bear the conditioning hue of the ideology that acts as a filter of perception. Is there only relativity in the identity construction of man or is there anything that transcends ism-relative identity construction that explains man’s real identity and that can therefore appease man himself and his relations with other identity assumptions that tend to clash in the social arena, as they entail identity-specific values and behavioural patterns? This is a seemingly impossible question because man’s mind that tries to answer the question seems to be a time-relative construct itself which can therefore, similarly, offer only relative answers that are not time enduring, because that mind changes with its conditioning in time and therefore tends to provide relative answers. So, how can the quest for human identity be managed in a satisfactory way, a way that is not conducive to identity clashes based on identity mismanagement?
Summary of Chapters
1. Who is Man?: Discusses the fundamental nature of identity and how self-perception acts as the primary driver for individual and social behavior.
2. Mystery and Grace of the Encounter with One’s True Identity: Explores the constants within human identity, such as bio-spiritual DNA, and the necessity of "returning to integrity" to avoid the corruption of identity.
3. Towards a Trans-cultural Identity and Enhanced Self-awareness: Introduces the DOME-12D Transcultural Management Model as a tool for integrating diverse cultural dimensions into a higher, non-divisive level of consciousness.
4. The Human Quest for Identity. Culture, identity and Pleasure: Analyzes the connection between the pursuit of identity and the motivation for pleasure, highlighting how ethnocentrism is often used to inflate a sense of self at the expense of others.
5. The “I” in the Area of Tension between Self-, Social- and Divine Perception: Uses the metaphor of "good and bad trees" to describe how ideologies and identities can either be life-giving or destructive based on their roots.
6. Die deutsche Identität: Gedanken zur Identitätsfrage Deutschlands: Examines the specific case of Germany’s historical identity struggle, reflecting on how internal and external inputs have shaped its complex cultural landscape.
7. Identity and Relationship as the Basis of Culture and Civilisation: Compares Western (individualistic) and Oriental (collectivistic) notions of identity to show that both models create their own forms of conflict, and that a noetic/transcultural approach is needed for synthesis.
8. Identity, Culture and Freedom: Argues that true freedom lies in awareness of one’s cultural conditioning, allowing individuals to transcend the "fragments" of cultural pigeon-holes and reach a deeper, autonomous self.
9. The Identity War: Divesity, Reciprocity and the Ethics of Peaceful Coexistence: Discusses the ethical necessity of mutual respect and the danger of using identity as a weapon in interpersonal or international relations.
10. Germany – Shedding a New Light on a Perennial Question: Concludes that while Germany is often viewed through a material or political lens, its true challenge—like that of all nations—is the management of consciousness and the integration of universal ethical principles.
Keywords
Identity Management, Transcultural Management, Global Consciousness, Cultural Conditioning, DOME-12D Model, Intercultural Competence, Self-awareness, Identity Mismanagement, Ethics, Cultural Synergy, Noetics, Globalization, Human Identity, Reconciliation, Cultural Diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental goal of this book?
The book aims to redefine identity as a crucial element of global management, arguing that identity mismanagement is the root cause of many social and political conflicts, and proposing a transcultural approach to solve these issues.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the impact of cultural programming on individual and corporate behavior, the relationship between identity and well-being, the critique of ethnocentrism, and the need for a higher, noetic level of consciousness in leadership.
What is the primary research question?
The author asks how human identity can be managed in a way that is not conducive to conflict and whether it is possible to resolve diverse, relative identity constructions into a higher-order objective understanding.
Which scientific method is applied?
The work employs a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, blending management science, philosophy, psychology, and spiritual metaphors—such as the "DOME" architecture—to create a unified model for identity and diversity management.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body focuses on the theoretical exploration of identity horizons (Part I) and applied case studies (Part II), particularly the German identity issue, before presenting a reference section with specific instruments and a bilingual dictionary (Part III).
Which keywords characterize this work?
The most important keywords include Identity Management, Transcultural Management, Global Consciousness, Cultural Synergy, and Noetics.
How does the author use the "DOME" metaphor?
The DOME serves as a visual and conceptual metaphor for the "architecture of human consciousness," with twelve dimensions that help categorize and integrate various cultural aspects into a coherent whole.
Why does the author discuss the German identity in such depth?
The author treats Germany as a specific case study of a "structurally weak" latecomer culture that has been subject to multiple, conflicting historical inputs, making it an ideal subject for illustrating the challenges of identity integration.
- Quote paper
- D.E.A./UNIV. PARIS I Gebhard Deissler (Author), 2011, Identity Management: A Critical Dimension of Global Management, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/178358
