Normal Now: Individualism as Conformity - Softcover

Kelly, Mark G. E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 150955095X ISBN 13: 9781509550951

Publisher: Polity, 2022

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 150955095X
• ISBN 13: 9781509550951
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184