[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# The Self And The Other: The Purpose Of Distinction

## Details

**Authors** Glanville

**Year** 1990

**Publisher** Originally presented at a conference

**Discipline** Sociology

[Read it](http://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/494c.content.pdf)

## In authors' words

### What they set out to do (purpose)

Explored the self and other as a concept.

### What they found (results)

Distinctions need both an identity and an other in order to exist. Ignoring the explicitness of this can lead to unintended consequences.

## Commentary

### In short

Identity is explicit while the other is implicit (often with the intended or unintended consequence of marginalization)

### In more detail

The self and other within Distinction making was also explored by Glanville (1990) when he stated that a Distinction has to create itself. In other words, a Distinction IS an Identity. However, in order to exist, a Distinction also requires an other and a “transfer distinction.” Meaning that in order for a Distinction to be valid, the other is a prominent part of the creation of the Distinction. This allows the Distinction to, “generate the purpose of the distinction as becoming, of, by and for itself.” Although Glanville is right that the identity and other are necessary elements of any Distinction, and that there are clear benefits to being metacognitive about the dual-structure of any Distinction, it is typical that more people make Distinctions while being unaware of this dual structure. It is more often than not the case that the identity is explicit while the other is implicit (often with the intended or unintended consequence of marginalization).

**Patterns it shows** D

**How to cite this** Glanville (1990). The Self And The Other: The Purpose Of Distinction. Originally presented at a conference.