High-tech developments have recently made it possible for new and frequently contentious ways to define and redefine identity, sometimes at odds with different cultural traditions. As people look to express their true selves in a society that is always changing, these contemporary worries about identification in our high-tech era are deeply entwined with the idea of freedom. Nonetheless, this search for identity can occasionally run afoul of cultural norms and conventional values, sparking discussions about the limits of human freedom and the function of the state in policing individual identity. The recent debate surrounding Amazon’s decision to remove Ryan T. Anderson’s book “When Harry Became Sally” from their catalog serves as a reminder of these issues. The decision by Amazon to remove the book from its marketplace aroused discussions about free speech and censorship because the book examines topics relating to gender identity and transgenderism. While some argue that Amazon has the right to choose which books it sells, others see this as a troubling example of censorship and an infringement on free speech (Anderson, 2021, p. 2). At the same time, several governments have been attempting to limit sex education and transitioning in schools for young people, including Florida. Proponents of these restrictions argue that they are necessary to protect children from harmful ideologies and to preserve traditional values, while critics see them as an attack on personal freedom and an infringement on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals (Lemma, 2021). These discussions of freedom and identity are not new; they have been researched by academics and thinkers for centuries. C.S. Lewis argues in “The Abolition of Man” that the search of identity and personal freedom must be balanced with an understanding of the worth of conventional norms and the existence of objective truth. He writes, “We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst” (Lewis, 1943, p. 25). Anderson argues that acceptance of biological realities and objective truth must serve as the foundation for the search for one’s personal identity. He writes, “The most fundamental and nonnegotiable aspect of our identity is that we are created male or female” (Anderson, 2021, p. 5). These ideas are especially pertinent in the context of Alexandria, a city that has recently witnessed profound cultural and political change. Amartya Sen makes the case in his book “Identity and Violence” that the pursuit of identity can occasionally result in violence and conflict, especially when it is defined in opposition to other groups. He writes, “Our world is increasingly interconnected, and we have to learn to live together despite our differences” (Sen, 2006, p. 21). The modern worries about identity in our high-tech day are intricately linked to the idea of freedom and call for a sophisticated strategy that strikes a balance between the right to personal expression and the acceptance of traditional values and objective reality. The arguments over Anderson’s book, the prohibitions on sex education, and the debates over transitioning in schools have brought to light the tensions that can develop when these concerns clash. We may better comprehend these complicated challenges and fight towards a more just and equitable society by referencing the ideas of intellectuals like C.S. Lewis and Amartya Sen.
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