Re-connecting individuals in a time of authenticity on the importance of social norms and moral stagecraft

By rethinking authenticity and reaffirming the significance of social norms, this paper sheds light on the challenges of fragmentation in late-modern societies and offers insights into promoting coexistence. While authenticity - celebrated as self-expression and individual freedom - has facilitated significant social and emancipatory advancements, its hyper-individualistic interpretation increasingly erodes civility and collective values. Bridging philosophical discussions on authenticity with sociological theories of social norms, the paper explores the concept of ‘moral stagecraft’, a model demonstrating how deliberate role-playing and adherence to shared norms can cultivate moral growth and rebuild trust. By redefining authenticity as an aspirational alignment with one’s better moral self - grounded in shared norms and values, and linked to the ideal of ‘positive liberty’ - the paper contributes to contemporary debates on morality, individuality, and collective responsibility. Practical applications illustrate how this redefinition reconciles personal freedom with social cohesion, offering a viable path forward in an era shaped by hyper-individualism.