Qualia are abstractions from feelings, sensations and perceptions, but none of these are what would be called qualia because they are signals, signs, representations or quasi-representations. For example, if an ant has qualia they are indistinguishable from directives. What makes the qualia abstraction possible is the massive and complex referential loops of mind. It's loops within loops within loops etc., mirrors facing mirrors. Noe of this, however, detached or not, can account for identity, since they are essentially formal. Loops are the best way the mind has to point at identity, and without success because that would paralyse its operations. The failure of formally determining identity does not disprove identity, but the contrary since such failure would be meaningless if identity was not already in place. It isn't formal, but what makes formalism possible.