Optimising Patterns of Life Conduct: Transformations in Relations to the Self, to Others and Caring

This chapter present three cases from the Aporias of Perfection in the Accelerated Societies (APAS) study in which patterns of optimised life conduct were adopted, especially by individuals with fitting biographical and psychological dispositions – which themselves have consequences, insofar as they can reinforce patterns of coping and psychological tendencies. Current cultural change in self-concepts, relationship patterns and body practices' (APAS) analysed the consequences for social relationships, self-constructs and the relationship to the body of the increased pressure to optimise and the drive towards perfection in the context of intensified social structures of competition and recognition. Overexertion and exhaustion were seen, first, as the consequence of optimisation and acceleration. An adequate assessment of the limitations and negative consequences, as well as normative considerations, requires a differentiated analysis of the mediating mechanisms between social transformations and demands and individual predispositions and motivations in the context of optimisation.