To be Different in a World of Similarities: Essay About the Symbolic Dimension of Vulnerability

Abstract

The following text is based on the idea that social vulnerability has a symbolic dimension that has been disregarded by investigations that embrace this analytical focus, and that this needs to be emphasized in a theoretical way. After a brief introduction about the focus known as “vulnerability-active-opportunities,” the article uses concepts of symbolic power, symbolic violence, and the social verdict to outline a theory of symbolic vulnerability. For the sake of clarity and in order to strengthen the argument, this article brings forth examples of its own empirical research, from texts of self-analysis of various authors, and of current news.

Keywords

• Symbolic Vulnerability
• Subjectivisation
• Symbolic Power
• Insult
• Exclusion