The Individual without Passions

Modern Individualism and the Loss of the Social Bond

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Humanism, History, Criticism, & Surveys, Mind & Body
Cover of the book The Individual without Passions by Elena Pulcini, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elena Pulcini ISBN: 9780739166581
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: August 9, 2012
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Elena Pulcini
ISBN: 9780739166581
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: August 9, 2012
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The innovative characteristic of the book lies in its tackling an extremely timely and important issue—mainly individualism—from the original point of view of a theory of passions. It underlines the importance of the problem of the passions both in forming individual identity and in building the social bond. Drawing inspiration from classic authors who represent fundamental milestones along the route of modern individualism (from Montaigne to Hobbes, from Locke to Smith, from Rousseau to Tocqueville etc.), it puts forward new hypotheses that contrast with the consolidated views of contemporary reflection, both modern and postmodern.
The main argument is that passions are crucial not only when they are strong (homo oeconomicus), but also when absent or weak (homo democraticus), in both cases producing pathological effects on the Self and the social bond. Finally, the book underlines, in a normative perspective, that the image of the modern individual does not end with the egoistical passions and that it is possible to reactivate empathetic and solidaristic passions; furthermore, it proposes the hypothesis that the (solidaristic) passions go to fight the (egoistical) passions. This is most evident in the phenomenon of the gift (as interpreted by Marcel Mauss and his contemporary heirs), the “hidden” testimony of a desire for belonging that enables one to think of a new figure of the individual: homo reciprocus.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The innovative characteristic of the book lies in its tackling an extremely timely and important issue—mainly individualism—from the original point of view of a theory of passions. It underlines the importance of the problem of the passions both in forming individual identity and in building the social bond. Drawing inspiration from classic authors who represent fundamental milestones along the route of modern individualism (from Montaigne to Hobbes, from Locke to Smith, from Rousseau to Tocqueville etc.), it puts forward new hypotheses that contrast with the consolidated views of contemporary reflection, both modern and postmodern.
The main argument is that passions are crucial not only when they are strong (homo oeconomicus), but also when absent or weak (homo democraticus), in both cases producing pathological effects on the Self and the social bond. Finally, the book underlines, in a normative perspective, that the image of the modern individual does not end with the egoistical passions and that it is possible to reactivate empathetic and solidaristic passions; furthermore, it proposes the hypothesis that the (solidaristic) passions go to fight the (egoistical) passions. This is most evident in the phenomenon of the gift (as interpreted by Marcel Mauss and his contemporary heirs), the “hidden” testimony of a desire for belonging that enables one to think of a new figure of the individual: homo reciprocus.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Proclivity to Genocide by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Democratic Vanguardism by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Primary Stein by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Old Stories Retold by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Prisoner Reentry and Social Capital by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Old-Time Religion Embracing Modernist Culture by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book The Uprooted by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Human Communication and the Brain by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Reimagining the Caribbean by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Africana Race and Communication by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Spirit Possession in French, Haitian, and Vodou Thought by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book The Life of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Civil–Military Relations in the Islamic World by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Freedom of Speech and the Function of Rhetoric in the United States by Elena Pulcini
Cover of the book Nietzsche's Zarathustra by Elena Pulcini
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy