The Civilizing Process
The Civilizing Process
Author: Norbert Elias
Number Of Pages: 592
EAN: 9780631221616
Release Date: 13-07-2000
Summary:
"The Civilising Process" by Norbert Elias explores the intricate web of social behaviors, manners, and the shifting thresholds of shame and repulsion across European societies from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Elias delves into how these societal norms and etiquettes, especially around violence, sexual behavior, bodily functions, and table manners, have evolved under the pressures of increasing state power and social interdependencies. He presents a compelling narrative that connects the transformation of personal conduct to broader socio-political changes, illustrating a gradual shift towards self-regulation and refinement in behavior. This process, according to Elias, reflects the internalization of social constraints, leading to the development of what he terms the 'psychic self-control', pivotal in the formation of modern societies. Through meticulous historical analysis, Elias unfolds the story of how our ancestors' attempts to navigate social hierarchies and power dynamics have shaped the fabric of contemporary social life, offering insights into the very essence of what it means to be 'civilised'.
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