Alienation, authenticity and the self

Author's Department

Philosophy Department

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https://doi.org/10.1177/0952695110375763

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

History of the Human Sciences

Publication Date

10-6-2010

doi

10.1177/0952695110375763

Abstract

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. © The Author(s) 2010.

First Page

21

Last Page

36

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