Alienation, authenticity and the self.
While many commentators have held that the concept "alienation" is of crucial importance when attempting to understand human existence, others have held that it is an inherently empty concept that we should abandon. In this article, I refute the latters' charge by showing that each conception of "alienation" is underpinned by a normative ontological conception of the preferable, or authentic, self and show that the concept "alienation" has ethical, existential and socio-political uses. From this I conclude that, when properly understood, the concept "alienation" can provide us with vital insights into human existence.
American Univ., Cairo, Egypt.
Gavin
G
Rae
D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D040821:Human Characteristics; D007206:Individuality; D008603:Mental Health / Q000266:history; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D012918:Social Alienation / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior / Q000266:history