Multiculturalism, Identity and Otherness; an approach to Modern Communities’ Essentialism from Eduard Nicol’s philosophy

Abstract

In this brief text I try to show how some fundamental ideas of Nicol’s philosophy of history and the particular ontology of man that he develops, can help us to understand the origin and persistence of assumed positions on issues such as multiculturalism and national identity. Therefore, the work of the Catalan-Mexican philosopher opens the door to a deep criticism on the substantialist assumptions present in the liberal attempts to form multicultural societies, but also in conservative efforts to maintain national identity and exclude differences. Instead of substantialism, the main theme of this brief reflection are the consequences to which it leads in the context of issues such as multiculturalism, perhaps particularly in the conditions for providing recognition of the Other and the formation of identity. Nicol’s philosophy can help us to identify and denounce substantialism behind the modern idea of national identity, while opening ways to overcome them.

Keywords: ontology, history, identity, multiculturalism, otherness, substantialism.