Re-Connecting Individuals in a Time of Authenticity: On the Importance of Social Norms and Moral Stagecraft
Re-Connecting Individuals in a Time of Authenticity: On the Importance of Social Norms and Moral Stagecraft

Summary/Abstract: By rethinking authenticity and reaffirming the significance of social norms, this paper sheds light on the challenges of fragmentation in late-modern societies and offers insights into promoting coexistence. While authenticity – celebrated as self-expression and individual freedom – has facilitated significant social and emancipatory advancements, its hyper-individualistic interpretation increasingly erodes civility and collective values. Bridging philosophical discussions on authenticity with sociological theories of social norms, the paper explores the concept of ‘moral stagecraft’, a model demonstrating how deliberate role-playing and adherence to shared norms can cultivate moral growth and rebuild trust. By redefining authenticity as an aspirational alignment with one’s better moral self – grounded in shared norms and values, and linked to the ideal of ‘positive liberty’ – the paper contributes to contemporary debates on morality, individuality, and collective responsibility. Practical applications illustrate how this redefinition reconciles personal freedom with social cohesion, offering a viable path forward in an era shaped by hyper-individualism.

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