Suchergebnisse

The modem desire for privacy entails a cost - the danger of not being known, and therefore of a fragile personal identity. In this context, churches organised around the caring house group (of which there are a steadily increasing number) can be attractive, and the mutual surveillance that this entails welcomed. The dynamics of such churches are explored: there is a tendency to strengthen the boundary between the church and the community outside but to weaken the boundary between church and family; the emphasis on 'sharing' and on 'feelings' tends to divide those who trust enough to share, from those who do not - a process reinforced by the circular architecture associated with these groups; surveillance in these groups is compared with other forms of surveillance. Finally, the question of the extent to which love and trust transform surveillance is discussed.

Résumé Un des buts des politiques sociales est de créer un plus grand bonheur pour le plus grand nombre de personnes. La réalisation de cet objectif ambitieux nécessite la compréhension du bonheur. Les cinq questions suivantes appellent des réponses -. 1) Précisément, qu'est-ce que le bonheur ? 2) Le bonheur peut-il être mesuré ? 3) Jusqu'à quel point les gens sont-ils heureux ? 4) Qu'est-ce qui nous amène à être heureux ou malheureux ? 5) Le bonheur peut-il être atteint de façon permanente ? Au fil des siècles, les philosophes se sont confrontés à ces questions. Depuis les années 60, elles font l'objet de recherches empiriques. Cet article tente de répondre à ces questions en se basant sur les progrès réalisés. Summary One of the goals of social policy is to create greater happiness for a greater number. Realization of this ambition requires understanding of happiness. The following questions must be answered: 1) What is happiness precisely? 2) Can happiness be measured? 3) How happy are people presently? 4) What causes us to be happy or unhappy? 5) Can happiness be raised lastingly? Through the ages philosophers have toiled with these questions. Since the 1960's they are subject of empirical research. This paper takes stock of the progress in answering these questions.