The author argues that the body is not only a biological phenomenon it is also a social creation of immense complexity - not so much a "given" as a social category, with different meanings - composed, imposed and developed in each age and by each individual. The attributes, functions and specific organs of the body and the senses are similarly controversial. The author explores the history of thought about the body and the senses, paying special attention both to different ways of thinking about the body over time, and to the clash of different approaches to the body today. This book aims to contribute to our understanding of how the body is conceptualized and lived. It avoids abstract discussion in favour of a down-to-earth approach to the body. Thus the author examines particular parts of the body: the face and hair; and particular bodily senses: touch, smell, sight. He also provides an up- to-date survey of relevant literature.
- ISBN10 020320154X
- ISBN13 9780203201541
- Publish Date 9 September 1993 (first published 29 July 1993)
- Publish Status Active
- Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Imprint Routledge
- Format eBook
- Pages 321
- Language English