Identification, in its most modest sense, consists in the capacity to make evident to others, within… — Paul Ricœur

Identification, in its most modest sense, consists in the capacity to make evident to others, within a range of similar particulars, which specific entity one is talking about, and it is precisely along this path of ‘identifying reference’ that the notion of ‘person’ first appears in a likewise modest sense as a globally distinguishing term for such an entity.

By Paul Ricœur, from Oneself as Another

Key Arguments

Ricoeur explicitly defines identifying something as the ability "to make apparent to others, amid a range of particular things of the same type, of which one we intend to speak," thus grounding identification in communicable differentiation among similar items.
He characterizes this as "the most modest sense that can be given to the notion of identification," indicating a deliberate methodological starting point that avoids stronger metaphysical assumptions.
He then states that "along this path of identifying reference" we "encounter the person for the first time," thereby tying the emergence of the concept of person to the semantic function of picking out a particular in discourse.
The term "person" is likewise taken "in an equally modest sense as globally distinguishing this entity," suggesting that, at this stage, 'person' designates no more than a kind of overall marker that sets one individual apart from others of the same type, without yet implying richer notions of subjectivity or selfhood.

Source Quotes

FIRST STUDY "Person" and Identifying Reference A Semantic Approach In this first study, I shall begin with the most modest sense that can be given to the notion of identification. To identify something is to be able to make apparent to others, amid a range of particular things of the same type, of which one we intend to speak.

FIRST STUDY "Person" and Identifying Reference A Semantic Approach In this first study, I shall begin with the most modest sense that can be given to the notion of identification. To identify something is to be able to make apparent to others, amid a range of particular things of the same type, of which one we intend to speak. It is along this path of identifying reference that we encounter the person for the first time, considering this term in an equally modest sense as globally distinguishing this entity

To identify something is to be able to make apparent to others, amid a range of particular things of the same type, of which one we intend to speak. It is along this path of identifying reference that we encounter the person for the first time, considering this term in an equally modest sense as globally distinguishing this entity

Key Concepts

In this first study, I shall begin with the most modest sense that can be given to the notion of identification.
To identify something is to be able to make apparent to others, amid a range of particular things of the same type, of which one we intend to speak.
It is along this path of identifying reference that we encounter the person for the first time,
considering this term in an equally modest sense as globally distinguishing this entity

Context

Opening lines of the First Study, where Ricoeur sets out a minimal, semantic notion of identification as a way of introducing the concept of 'person' via identifying reference before moving to richer philosophical determinations.