Normal Now

Individualism as Conformity
1. Auflage 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5095-5095-1
Verlag: Polity Press

Buch, Englisch, 184 Seiten, Format (B × H): 136 mm x 212 mm, Gewicht: 204 g

This is a book about what we consider normal. It details how the very concept of normality emerged in the modern era, and how it has changed over the centuries.

By the mid-twentieth century, the expansion of norms across various areas of human endeavour generated a governing normative order in Western societies. Normality was defined as conformity with a narrow model of conventional human behaviour. However, this model has since been displaced by an anti-conformism, in which normality is defined as absolute self-fulfilment, defying older restrictions on our behaviour. Paradoxically, narcissistic individualism and rebellion against conformity have become compulsory.

Normal Now explores in detail how this new normative order plays out today in the arenas of politics, health, and sex and sexuality. In all these areas, the uncompromising perfectionism of our norms of self-expression leads to increasingly deep-seated and ubiquitous anger, anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kelly, Mark G E

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements

Preface

1 Genealogy
2 New Norms
3 Politics
4 Sex
5 Life
6 Law
7 Difference

Conclusion

Notes

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Mark G. E. Kelly is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Sydney University.