The subject as agent of his own exploration: reflections on Byung-Chul Han's Society of fatigue

Abstract

This research aims to present how the concept of the performance subject, proposed by Byung-Chul Han, reveals a new form of subjectivity in contemporary society, marked by neoliberalism, hyperconnectivity, and excessive positivity. In this scenario, the individual internalizes the logic of self-exploitation, believing themselves to be autonomous, while being subjected to subtle mechanisms of control that generate psychological exhaustion, such as burnout, depression, and anxiety. The study engages with thinkers such as Foucault and Hannah Arendt, exploring phenomena such as the dissolution of boundaries between work and personal life, the culture of hyperattention, the pressure for positivity, and the invisibility of psychological violence. The objective is to highlight how these elements impact subjective experience, compromising the capacity for reflection, critical thinking, and autonomy. The research also highlights the social, cultural, and mental health implications of this new configuration, contributing to the debate on the effects of neoliberal rationality on the constitution of the contemporary subject.