Decisions and Transformations - The Phenomenology of Embodiment

We are embodied subjects, which means we are both extended and conscious. This ambiguity is expressed in a double being-in, where the world is in consciousness as a place of appearing, and consciousness is in the world as embodied. James Mensch explores the effects of this paradox on phenomenology, questioning how our selfhood can support both descriptions and how it affects our social and political relations, including those marked by violence, and our sense of transcendence, including that of the divine.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2021
Publisher: ibidem-Verlag, Jessica Haunschild u Christian Schon

Embodied subjects are complex beings that exist in a dualistic manner, simultaneously being both extended and conscious. This paradoxical nature of our existence can be understood through the concept of a double being-in. On the one hand, the world is in consciousness as a place of appearance, while on the other hand, consciousness is embodied in the world. This duality presents a challenge for our selfhood, as it requires us to reconcile these two perspectives.

In his late manuscripts on birth and death, Husserl explores the implications of this paradox on phenomenology. He questions what it means to consider the self as determined by its embodiment and how this affects our social and political relations, including those marked by violence. He also explores how our embodiment affects our sense of transcendence, including that of the divine.

Through these inquiries, Mensch demonstrates how phenomenology is transformed by these questions. He shows how our understanding of the self, the world, and our relationships with others is fundamentally altered by recognizing the embodied nature of consciousness and the interdependence of the material and the spiritual.

Embodied subjects are not only extended and conscious but also deeply connected to the material world. Our bodies are the vessels through which we experience the world, and our experiences are shaped by the physical and social environments in which we live. This connection between the self and the world is what gives rise to the embodied nature of consciousness.

At the same time, embodied subjects are also capable of transcending the material world. Through meditation, contemplation, and other forms of spiritual practice, we can cultivate a sense of transcendence that goes beyond the limitations of our physical bodies. This transcendence can be experienced as a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves, such as the divine or the universal consciousness.

The ambiguity inherent in our being both extended and conscious is a source of both wonder and perplexity. It challenges us to explore the depths of our own consciousness and to understand the relationship between the self and the world in new and profound ways. By recognizing the embodied nature of consciousness and the interdependence of the material and the spiritual, we can develop a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of our existence and our place in the world.

Weight: 666g
ISBN-13: 9783838214351