The body in question : a socio-cultural approach / Alan Petersen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Petersen, Alan R., 1953-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Human body--Social aspects.

Human body.

Human body (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

169 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2007.

Summary:

Why is there currently such strong academic and popular interest in 'the body' in contemporary societies? What factors shape our conceptions of the body, its naturalness, health and normality? What is the mind-body dualism and why should it matter? This book examines these and other body questions from a critical socio-cultural perspective. In particular, it shows how conceptions of the body are affected by processes of individualisation, medicalisation, and commodification. Chapters discuss the impact of new biomedical technologies on the notion of the natural body, efforts to reshape and perfect the body, the role of the media in 'framing' body issues, processes of body classification, the impact of consumerism on concepts of health, healing and self-care, and the implications of theoretical and practical efforts to integrate mind and body. The book will be an invaluable introduction for those seeking to understand the social, cultural and political significance of 'the body' in contemporary society.

Contents:

The body in question : an introduction

What is a natural body?

Reshaping and perfecting bodies

The classification and regulation of bodies

Powers of mind over body

The future of 'the body.'

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [142]-160) and index.

ISBN:

0415321611

9780415321617

041532162X

9780415321624

OCLC:

70258884