5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Pain, fear, suffering, anxiety, stress are sensations that are part of everyday life in the present time. Often these sensations are overloaded by emotions that appear on the surface of the skin and are expressed in the bodies of people, promoting forms of psychosomatic illnesses. At the same time, we have noticed the need to express feelings of well-being in media contexts, especially in social networks. In this context, love and empathy set the tone for relationships mediated by computer screens, tablets and smart phones. In order to discuss these ambiguities of the present time, we propose this thematic guided by classical studies of Simmel and, in contemporary times, of David Le Breton, that contribute to demonstrate the relevance of the theme, while the body is crossed by sensations and emotions. This is the central content of the debate proposed here for the theme bodies, emotions and sensitivities. Theoretical and methodological aspects for studies in this perspective, as well as essayist approaches will be welcome.