Full Idea
To formulate the law of non-contradiction ('nothing can be both F and non-F') and the law of excluded middle ('everything is either F or it is not-F'), we need the concept of identity (in 'nothing' and 'everything').
Gist of Idea
Both non-contradiction and excluded middle need identity in their formulation
Source
Colin McGinn (Logical Properties [2000], Ch.1)
Book Reference
McGinn,Colin: 'Logical Properties' [OUP 2003], p.11
A Reaction
Two good examples in McGinn's argument that identity is basic to all thinking. But the argument also works to say that necessity is basic (since both laws claim it) and properties are basic. Let's just declare everything 'basic', and we can all go home.