Il pudore nella relazione. Percorsi di teoria sociale a partire da Georg Simmel

The present work aims at analysing the dimension of “modesty” (pudore), starting from a sociological perspective. How the sociological analysis has interpreted modesty? What has been said by sociology about this topic? Above all, what kind of research perspective can the sociological perspective on modesty offer today? May modesty be thought as a fertile resource for the social relation? These are the main questions that this work will try to answer. In particular, the first chapter tries to retrace and clarify the sociological debate about modesty, analysing the contributions of those scholars who have directly or indirectly focused on this topic. Among all the contributions analysed, the research perspective of Georg Simmel stands out in terms of originality, and it results to be particularly adequate to open the way for answering the main question of this work, which bonds the social relation with modesty. Indeed, Simmel’s perspective seems to be deeply trenchant and penetrating. However, although Simmel lingers on the topic in numerous occasions, he has never completely clarified his vision about modesty, leaving some open questions. Therefore, in the second and the third chapter of this work, we have tried to retrace some of his “interrupted paths”, and along the way we have found ourselves at the core of his thought. Once clarified Simmel’s perspective, in the fourth chapter, we have tried to proceed drawing on what emerged from his insights. So, starting from Simmel, we have made a comparison with Erving Goffman, whose sociological theory presents some similarities with Simmel’s work. Then, we have focused on different dimensions of the philosophical and psychological perspective, that, being thoroughly consistent with Simmel’s one, enabled the discussion to spread light on the relationships between modesty and intimacy, sexuality, and corporeity in general. At this point, we have come back to Simmel with new and strengthen awareness, trying to highlight the importance of modesty for the social relation. In particular, we have focused on the bold pages of the “Sociology” where it is possible to recognise Simmel’s reference to modesty, highlighting its density in his close examination of the dimensions of “honour” and “gratitude”. The conclusive part of this work, looks back to the Ancient Greek and Latin cultures, through a just introductory examination. In this way it has been possible to show how the notion and function of modesty which emerges from the present analysis can be found also in those ancient societies. Furthermore, it has been possible to underline how, by way of a comparison with the past, we can better understand our contemporary condition, enhancing it by appropriating again of a possible sense of “modesty”, which could be used to cope with problems that we face today in living with other people.