Status Anxiety

The course explores a cluster of issues gravitating around the concept of status. First, we circumscribe the concept of status, and focus on status when it is constituted by the recognition of others. Second, we examine the character and forms of recognition: recognition is an evaluative stance, which come in three main forms, respect, esteem, and love. Third, we turn to the importance of status: why the preoccupation with the recognition of others is a source of profound anxiety. Fourth, we attempt to gain further insight into the character and importance of status by considering two primary forms of status anxiety—the experience of a threat to one’s status—namely, shame and resentment. Finally, we consider some of the social and psychological pathologies status anxiety may cause.