The Private Sphere

Foreword Introduction . A new approach to understanding the concepts of privacy and integrity . Four literary contributions as an introduction to understanding the concept of integrity . The private sphere from a historical and cultural perspective . Integrity as an emotional territory - a psychological and evolutionary perspective . Integrity as something worthy of moral protection . Respect for the individual as a person with moral and political authority-integrity from a philosophical perspective . Balancing seclusion and participation-integrity from the perspective of moral philosophy, jurisprudence and the law . Integrity as a quality worthy of esteem and respect 1. The private sphere from a historical and cultural perspective 1.1 In the supposed seclusion of the home 1.2 What will the neighbours say? 1.3 Power over spiritual life and thought- the private sphere from a religious perspective 1.4 To retire with a book - the private sphere from a literary perspective 1.5 To participate in distinguishing between what is public and what is private 2. The private sphere as an emotional territory - a psychological and evolutionary perspective 2.1 Emotions which are constitutive for a person's private sphere 2.2 The emotional territory's significance in evolutionary development 2.3 Integrity - a complex property of the individual 2.4 Three candidates: fear, embarrassment and pride 2.5 The role of the emotions in the establishment of social order - dominance and submission 2.6 The experience of self 3. Integrity as something which is morally worthprotecting 3.1 A teleological perspective with regard to integrity 3.2 The moral value of protection from the viewpoint of the individual's capacity for sentient experience 3.3 The moral value of protection from the viewpoint of the individual's capacity for action 3.4 Integrity as a socially significant property- the starting point for moral integrity 4. Respect for the individual as a person with moral and political