Identity of identity

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is not to bring the answer to the ultimate question 'what is identity?',-an almost impossible undertaking given the complexity and the constant evolution of the subject-but rather to present, more like on a journey, different angles that can be used to define this concept, in particular in the context of the Information Society. Starting first at describing how this conceptualisation can be conducted in the traditional way of theori-sation well known by the academics, this chapter then indicates how less formal approaches such as narratives can be used to help to understand the concept. It also introduces how the new 'social tools' originating from the Web 2.0 can be used to stir the intelligence of experts from different horizons so as to generated a meaningful and practical understanding of the subject. The second part of the chapter is used to illustrate how each of these approaches have been operationalised by presenting a series of models and scenarios presenting different perspectives and issues that are relevant to the subject, and a collaborative Web 2.0 knowledge infrastructure that was used in FIDIS to facilitate the conceptualisation of identity by a group of experts. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.