The social and sociological significance of 'guilt' - Die gesellschaftliche und soziologische Bedeutung von 'Schuld' - dargestellt an der deutschen Schuldfrage nach dem 2.Weltkrieg
To begin with the notions and definitions of guilt as used in several disciplines of the social sciences will be examined. This is to draw a distinction between the various assessments of guilt within the social sciences and to clarify the sociological approach within the following analysis. In a next step the common conceptualisation of guilt as an individual emotion will be opposed to the assessment of guilt as a group or collective emotion. Theories and study findings will be used to illustrate the conditions and prerequisites for the experience of collective guilt as well as the occurrence of guilt as a result of group identification. In addition a further distinction of guilt regarding the means of responsibility will be drawn.
After having analysed the different notions of guilt theoretically, the concept of collective guilt will be examined in its appearance in German society after the Second World War. By examining Germany’s history and the shifts within society it will be highlighted how the societal conditions and the perceptions of guilt influence each other immensely. The main attention will be given to the German recognition of collective guilt from immediately after the war into the present.
It will be shown that guilt, although commonly conceptualised as an individual emotion also has to be considered as apparent in group and collective settings. This claim of broadening the sociological conceptualisation of guilt to the collective level will be validated by analysing and examining Germany’s history after the Second World War. Moreover the importance of the wider context in which emotions occur and in which they are perceived dependently will be demonstrated.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Conceptualization and theorization of ‘guilt’
- Collective Guilt: The German Question of Guilt
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research essay explores the concept of guilt, its societal application, and its manifestation in German society after World War II. The essay aims to analyze the sociological significance of guilt, particularly in the context of collective emotions and historical trauma.
- The sociological definition of guilt and its distinction from legal guilt.
- The role of guilt in individual and collective identity formation.
- The concept of collective guilt and its historical manifestation in post-war Germany.
- The influence of societal conditions and perceptions on the experience of guilt.
- The transformation of German society and politics in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The introduction lays out the scope of the essay, outlining its objectives to explore the various aspects of guilt and its significance in the context of social science disciplines.
- The second chapter delves into the conceptualization of guilt, examining various perspectives from philosophy, psychology, and sociology. It distinguishes between legal guilt and guilt as an emotion, emphasizing the importance of cultural and contextual specificity in understanding guilt.
- The third chapter examines the concept of collective guilt and its historical manifestation in Germany following the Second World War. It explores how societal conditions and perceptions of guilt shaped the German experience of collective guilt, highlighting the influence of historical trauma and the evolving nature of German society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research essay focuses on key concepts including guilt, collective guilt, societal context, historical trauma, social norms, identity, and the transformative effects of historical events on individuals and societies.
- Quote paper
- Johanna Niehues (Author), 2005, The social and sociological significance of ‘guilt’ , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/144448