History of body Flashcards
Homo Erectus
We walk upright rather than on 4 limbs
Where did we evolve from?
We did not evolve from monkeys, but monkeys and humans evolved from a common ancestor
What was evolved in Africa?
Modern Homo Sapiens
How long was the average life span?
25 years
Details on olympics?
Held every 4 years, women were meant to admire the strength and the beauty of the male body (male bodies influenced sculptures).
congenital disease
great deal of inbreeding and death
Nature/use of the body falls into 2 ideals in greek philosophy:
1) Cyrenaic school: founded by Aristippus of Cyrene, bodily pleasures are the most superior form of experience A. Hedonism: Lived and experienced pleasure is superior to those of memory
2) Epicurean School: founded by Epicurus, pleasure is good but can only be attained through moderation and simple living a. pleasures of the mind are superior to those of the body
Socrates:
The body is a cage where the soul is liberated once death occurs and the desire of the body ceases (View shared by romans).
Gymnopedia (in Sparta):
boys and girls compete in naked games - similar to Olympics in Athens
Laconophilia:
Love for the spartan way of life, and belief that it builds strong bodies and character
Who loved Spartan life?
Hitler
Women in Antiquity:
Boys were seen as the ideal of beauty - women’s bodies were not admired until later times
How did the Babylonians see the women’s body?
Property of the men - rape seen as property damage and resulted in a fine due to the code of hammurab
Aristotles ideals surrounding heat?
Embryos with sufficient heat were born boys and vice versa, girls considered “misbegotten men” less developed brains
Class Consciousness around the lightness of skin in India, China and Japan?
Darker-skinned people worked outside in the sun, Light-skinned people spent time indoors and had elaborate clothing to protect themselves from the sun (higher status).
Kama Sutra (India)
10 Chapters around sexuality - something to be enjoyed and celebrated - bodies are to be treated in moderation.
Chinese religions?
Take care over their bodies - do not overindulge.
Christianity and Mortification of the Flesh 1st level?
1) to deny the body of pleasure - refraining from alcohol and sex - eating plain and tasteless food, sleeping in uncomfortable beds.
2nd level?
2) To harm the body by not maintaining it - fasting, not seeking treatment for injury
3rd level?
3) To do direct harm to the body - flagellating, cutting, piercing
4th level?
4) To put oneself in a situation of suffering such as sitting outside in the cold
What is the goal of Christianity and the mortification of the flesh?
Salvation - the body is an earthly concern, denying it means opening up to heavenly concern and hastening salvation.
