Rationalization, Emotion and the Self

This chapter examines the relationship between rationalization, emotions and the self, showing how from the Middle Ages until the emergence of postmodernism, a process of rationalization, disciplining and self-disciplining of the self takes place, whereby impulsive, affective behavior is brought under control, expelled first from the public and later from the private life of social agents. The rationalization of the self that went parallel to his self-discipline took place in two stages. The first stage after the monopolization of power by the state was the literal physical punishment of social agents who did not respect the rules of behavior in society, the second, much more sophisticated stage was the imposition of shame on social agents who did not respect the social rules, which went hand in hand with the loss of social status. In an effort not to be embarrassed and to maintain social status, social agents began to increasingly self-monitor and self-discipline. Thus in the long run the modern self became rational, self-controlled and self-disciplined.