Being a Lived Body: From a Neo-phenomenological Point of View

Being a Lived Body explores the conceptual history of the lived body and physical body, tracing it through key figures in philosophical and social thought. It develops a theory of the lived body that draws on the New Phenomenology and explains our being-in-the-world through felt-bodily communication with perceived forms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 29 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the profound distinction between the so-called lived body or felt body (Leib) and the physical body (Körper), tracing the conceptual evolution of this divide through influential figures in philosophical and social thought. It then articulates a theory of the lived body that draws upon the New Phenomenology developed by Hermann Schmitz. By exploring our being-in-the-world through a felt-bodily communication with all perceived forms and their affective-bodily resonance within us, Being a Lived Body offers a comprehensive and critical assessment of the prevailing theories of embodiment. Moreover, it presents a novel approach to the body that will appeal to scholars of philosophy, social theory, and anthropology with an interest in phenomenology and embodiment.

The book begins by establishing the fundamental difference between the lived body and the physical body. The lived body, often referred to as the felt body, encompasses the subjective experiences and sensations that we associate with our physical selves. It includes our emotions, thoughts, and intuitions, as well as the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. On the other hand, the physical body is the objective reality that we can observe and measure through scientific means.

Throughout the book, the author explores the historical development of this distinction through key figures in philosophical and social thought. They examine the works of philosophers such as Descartes, Kant, and Hegel, as well as sociologists such as Marx and Freud, to understand how the concept of the lived body has been shaped by different philosophical and social perspectives. The author also discusses the influence of technology and modernity on the body, particularly in terms of how it has been objectified and commodified.

In developing a theory of the lived body, the author draws upon the New Phenomenology developed by Hermann Schmitz. This approach emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences and the interconnection between the body and the mind. According to Schmitz, the lived body is not merely a physical entity but a complex system that involves the interaction of multiple sensory modalities, emotions, and thoughts. The author argues that the lived body is not just a passive recipient of external stimuli but an active participant in the construction of our sense of self and the world around us.

Being a Lived Body integrates and critically assesses the leading theories of embodiment. It examines the perspectives of phenomenologists such as Merleau-Ponty, Heidegger, and Sartre, as well as cognitive scientists such as Gibson and Varela, to understand how the body is perceived, experienced, and interpreted. The book also discusses the role of embodiment in social and cultural practices, such as dance, music, and ritual, and how it contributes to our understanding of identity, agency, and belonging.

In addition to its theoretical contributions, Being a Lived Body offers a new approach to the body that challenges traditional notions of objectivity and materialism. The author argues that the body is not just a physical entity but a dynamic and fluid system that is constantly evolving and adapting to its environment. The book emphasizes the importance of recognizing the subjective experiences and sensations that are inherent in the body and recognizing the ways in which these experiences shape our understanding of the world.

Overall, Being a Lived Body is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the distinction between the lived body and the physical body. It offers a rich theoretical framework that draws upon the insights of phenomenology, social theory, and cognitive science to understand the complex and multifaceted nature of the body. The book will appeal to scholars of philosophy, social theory, and anthropology with an interest in phenomenology and embodiment, as well as anyone who is interested in exploring the deeper dimensions of human experience and the relationship between the body and the mind.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032404639