ABSTRACT
To know the identity of a person is to be able to identify him or her – to distinguish him or her from others and to recognise him or her as a unique individual. Addresses, nationalities, ages and physical features are observable data, which are frequently used to identify an individual. Does this mean that one person really knows the identity of another person after having read his or her passport? Simple observation quickly becomes an insufficient method for understanding identity. Truly to know the identity of people, we must go much further. We must have long discussions with them, we must ask them about their tastes and convictions, and we must learn their histories.
