WELL-BEING, AFFECTIVITY AND SOCIETY: MORAL ISSUES AND STRUCTURAL ISSUES

This paper adresses the issue of well-being in the overall context of socialization. It pinpoints two distinct theories of socialization, each of which induces a specific articulation between emotions and well-being. According to Freud's theory of repression and to Elster's theory ofmoral sentiments, the socialization process is regarded as an experience of powerful negative emotions triggered by the internalization of moral judgment. Whether naturalistic (Freud) or culturalist (Benedict, Elster), this approach is based on the idea of a contradiction between the individual's impulsive aspirations and the moral demands of the group. This contradiction induces an affective violence (anguish, shame) and a systematic renunciation to the realization of desires. It depicts socialization as a conflictual process generating an inevitable malaise. In contrast, learning theories see socialization as a possible source of well-being. Indeed, the cognitive elucidation of social rules allows the individual to become a competent social actor and comfortable in daily interactions. These theories distinguish between a high-intensity affectivity generated by the anxiety felt by the incompetent and disoriented social actor, and a low-intensity affectivity based on the feeling of confidence affecting the competent social actor (Quere). This second approach illustrates the individual's interest in mastering social rules. Although distinct, these two positions are not opposed to each other, and even seem to be able to be articulated to advantage.