The Body Social Process and Cultural Theory [Paperback]

This challenging volume reasserts the centrality of the body within social theory as a means to understanding the complex interrelations between nature, culture and society. At a theoretical level, the volume explores the origins of a social theory of the body in sources ranging from the work of Nietzsche to contemporary feminist theory. The importance of a theoretical understanding of the body to social and cultural analysis of contemporary societies is demonstrated through specific case studies. These range from the expression of the emotions, romantic love, dietary practice, consumer culture, fitness and beauty, to media images of women and sexuality.

This wide-ranging book draws in part on papers published in Theory,This challenging volume reasserts the centrality of the body within social theory as a means to understanding the complex interrelations between nature, culture and society. At a theoretical level, the volume explores the origins of a social theory of the body in sources ranging from the work of Nietzsche to contemporary feminist theory. The importance of a theoretical understanding of the body to social and cultural analysis of contemporary societies is demonstrated through specific case studies. These range from the expression of the emotions, romantic love, dietary practice, consumer culture, fitness and beauty, to media images of women and sexuality.

This wide-ranging book draws in part on papers published in Theory,`The editors are to be commended for their inclusion of perspectives from various cultures. With the increasing globalization, internationalization, and geographic movement of individual persons an understanding of cultural differences in valuation of bodily forms is becoming a necessary requirement for persons engaged in human services. This volume is a needed addition to the literature focusing on these issues' - Journal of l#,