SOMAESTHETICS AND THE CARE OF THE BODY

    Authors

    S. Gallagher

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Metaphilosophy

    Keywords

    somaesthetics; performative forgetfulness; body consciousness; action; Philosophy

    Abstract

    This article poses a number of questions to Richard Shusterman concerning his concepts of somaesthetics and body consciousness in his book Body Consciousness: A Philosophy of Mindfulness and Somaesthetics. How do the concepts relate to the kind of forgetfulness of the body that can happen in expert performance? What is the nature of somatic reflection, and how is it different from pre-reflective awareness of the body? The article suggests that our immersed involvement and overt orientation toward things, and toward other people that concern us, involve bodily practices characterized by a performative forgetting of the body. Depending on the nature of the way we become aware of (or practice awareness of) the body, performance may be improved or disrupted.

    Journal Title

    Metaphilosophy

    Volume

    42

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Review

    Language

    English

    First Page

    305

    Last Page

    313

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000289158400009

    ISSN

    0026-1068

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