Rotture instauratrici. Leggere racconti di. Vita alla luce della prospettiva di Michel de Certeau

In the last decades, biographical research has gained increasing relevance and visibility in social sciences. Starting from different themes, many scholars have proposed and explored new perspectives, concepts, and research methods. In particular, wide focus has been given to the relationship between individual biography and social change. Within this field, the article aims to analyze the concept of “founding rupture” (“rupture instauratrice”) as proposed by Michel de Certeau in his works. By identifying four dimensions (rupture of history; opening of possibilities; plural authorities; risk practice), biography could be read as an individual and social trajectory made of both continuity and change. The article concludes by adopting the concept to analyze two life stories.