Risks of the Risk Society

Starting from Ulrik Beck's theory of the risk society, I explore the main concequences of risk and uncertainty on individual life. Drawing on Adorno's thesis that mass society causes a regressive ego, I sustain that it is more so in contemporary society beceause risk causes fear and uncertainty, emotions that make difficult the formation of a strong mature ego. The analysis focuses on the relation between risk, fear and regression on one side, and trust, autonomy and freedom on the other side.