Wed, Dec 13
|Online talk and Q&A (link in description)
Body Modification and the Creation of the Self
Philosopher Sean Bray will talk about the profound human desire to modify the body and the ways in which modification intertwines with our sense of self.
Time & Location
Dec 13, 2023, 6:30 PM EST – Dec 14, 2023, 8:00 PM EST
Online talk and Q&A (link in description)
About the event
In the ever-evolving landscape of personal expression and identity, body modification has emerged as a powerful tool for individuals to align their physical selves with their innermost feelings and perceptions. This online talk seeks to explore the profound human desire to modify the body and the ways in which it intricately intertwines with our sense of self.
Philosopher Sean Bray will talk about the motivations behind transformative treatments — from those addressing feelings of mismatch between one's body and their internal identity, to procedures stemming from deep-seated dissatisfaction with perceived physical imperfections. How do these modifications not just change our bodies but also the narratives we tell ourselves about who we are?
This talk will also touch upon the societal and cultural underpinnings that might influence these decisions. In particular, we will consider how cultural norms, especially those regarding gender, shape and sometimes constrain our choices. Drawing inspiration from the works of thinkers like Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, we will also introduce fresh perspectives that challenge and broaden conventional ways of understanding these decisions.
Join us for an illuminating discussion and Q&A led by Sean Bray, promising to shed light on the intimate dance between body modification and the continuous crafting of our individual and collective identities.