Le Breton, El Cuerpo

Summary

In 'Antropología del Cuerpo y la Modernidad,' David Le Breton traces the evolution of the body’s representation from the medieval era to modernity. The medieval body was viewed as sacred and interconnected with the divine and the cosmos, while modernity shifts to a materialistic and mechanistic view. The transition reflects changes in philosophy, medicine, and society, with the rise of individualism, dualism (especially through Descartes), and a focus on personal identity. The body moves from being a sacred, holistic entity to a possession, studied and dissected, marking a profound cultural shift.

Takeaways

• 😀 The body was once seen as part of a sacred, mystical whole, deeply connected to the cosmos and the community during the medieval and Renaissance periods.
• 😀 In medieval thought, the body was indivisible from the soul, with no strict separation between physical and spiritual realms.
• 😀 Certain professions that interacted with the body, such as barbers, dentists, and executioners, were marginalized due to their association with bodily manipulation.
• 😀 Even criminals and suicides were given respect after death, as their bodies were still considered sacred and treated with reverence.
• 😀 Modernity shifted the perception of the body, viewing it as a material object or machine, separate from the soul and spirit.
• 😀 The rise of anatomy and dissection during the 17th and 18th centuries led to a more detached, clinical approach to the body, with dissections becoming public spectacles.
• 😀 Early dissections were solemn and sacred, performed with respect for the dead, and aimed to educate rather than exploit the body.
• 😀 The modern view of the body as a machine aligns with Cartesian dualism, where the body is separated from the mind, leading to the idea that the body is something we possess, not something we are.
• 😀 The Renaissance marked the rise of individualism, where personal identity became more important, leading artists to focus on self-portraits and individual representations.
• 😀 The focus in art shifted from the body as a sacred entity to the individual’s personal identity, often portrayed through the face, reflecting the modern view of the body as a material possession.

Q & A

What was the medieval concept of the body, and how was it related to the cosmos?

In medieval times, the body was viewed as mystical, interconnected with both the divine and the cosmos. It was seen as a part of the larger universe, the macrocosm, where the human body was considered a microcosm reflecting the whole of creation. This view emphasized unity, with the body of the church symbolizing the sacred, and all individuals being part of the same spiritual body.

How did the representation of the body change during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, there was a shift towards individualism. The body was no longer seen as part of a sacred collective, but rather as a material object separate from the soul. Artists began focusing on the human form, and self-portraiture became more common, symbolizing the rise of individual identity and self-awareness.

What role did the church and spirituality play in medieval views of the body?

In medieval thought, the body was sacred and connected to the divine, as it was part of the mystical body of Christ and the church. The church emphasized the unity of all individuals as parts of a whole, and certain acts like dissection or mutilation were considered sacrilegious and taboo due to the sacredness of the body.

How did the approach to dissection evolve from the medieval period to the modern era?

Initially, dissection was a sacred practice conducted with reverence, mainly on criminals, as a means to teach anatomy and medical knowledge. Over time, especially during the 17th and 18th centuries, it became more public and theatrical, with dissections being viewed as a form of entertainment and a scientific spectacle.

What philosophical shift occurred regarding the body and mind in the modern era?

The modern era brought a clear distinction between the body and the mind. Philosophers like René Descartes emphasized dualism, where the mind (or soul) was separate from the material body. This shift marked the body as a machine or object, rather than an integrated part of one's identity, with the body becoming something that could be studied, controlled, or even discarded after death.

What was the significance of the Renaissance in the development of individualism?

The Renaissance played a key role in fostering individualism, particularly through the growing focus on personal identity. As people, especially in merchant and banking classes, began to prioritize self-interest, artists began to depict themselves and their patrons in their works, emphasizing personal recognition and individual accomplishments rather than communal or spiritual identity.

How did the practice of dissection in medical education change over time?

In the early stages of dissection, it was a solemn, respectful practice conducted by medical professionals with the help of apprentices. By the 17th and 18th centuries, however, dissections became more casual and public, often performed as a form of entertainment in anatomical theaters, where the body was treated less as a sacred object and more as an anatomical specimen.

What role did artists play in the evolving view of the body during the Renaissance?

Renaissance artists contributed to the changing perception of the body by portraying it in realistic, highly detailed ways. Artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, celebrated the human form and emphasized its anatomical accuracy. The practice of self-portraiture and depicting the body as a physical entity reflected the growing importance of individual identity.

Why was the body treated with reverence during early dissections in the modern era?

Early dissections were carried out with respect, particularly as they involved criminals who were seen as having violated the sacred body of the community. The body was still viewed as sacred, even after death, and thus the dissection process was conducted with solemnity, often overseen by clergy who prayed for the soul of the deceased.

How did Descartes' philosophy influence the modern understanding of the body?

Descartes' dualism, which emphasized the separation between the mind and the body, had a profound impact on modern views of the human being. His famous assertion 'I think, therefore I am' suggested that the mind (or soul) was distinct from the body, which was seen as merely a machine or material object. This view laid the foundation for the modern, scientific understanding of the body as a machine to be studied and controlled.