ABSTRACT
The narrative identity of an individual is maintained by a relationship between other-designated or public identity, and self-designated or private identity. Peter Brooks in his Enigmas of Identity investigates both aspects of identity, identification by others and self-identity, in terms of public and private identities. Underlying Mol's work is a view about the nature of science, especially social science, and a claim that it is an appropriate method for the study of religion. Soren Kierkegaard appeared on the scene at the tail end of Denmark's 'Golden Age', in a time that was increasingly restless, subjected to the modern process of industrialization. It is in his reflections on self-deception that Kierkegaard most lucidly comes to represent the modern turn towards suspicion. Brooks investigated this in terms of public suspicion of a criminal element that brings with it an attendant proclivity for judgement of undesirable others.
