Philosophy Bites – Clare Chambers on the Unmodified Body

Intro

In this episode of Philosophy Bites, Claire Chambers discusses the concept of the unmodified body and why it is important to resist societal pressures to alter our appearances. She explores the idea of shame tenants, the meaning of naturalness, and the concept of bodily integrity. Chambers also emphasizes the need for collective action to challenge the idea that our bodies are never good enough.

Main Takeaways

The Unmodified Body and Self-Acceptance

• Claire Chambers argues that we should resist pressures to alter our appearances and embrace the more or less unmodified body.
• Chambers believes that the unmodified body is important for authenticity and self-acceptance.
• It serves as a way to resist societal pressures and norms that dictate how our bodies should look.

Shame Tenants and Natural Makeup

• Shame tenants refer to the combination of shame and maintenance, perpetuating the idea that our bodies are shameful and should be kept private.
• Examples of shame tenants include the expectation to keep menstruation completely private and the use of natural makeup to conceal imperfections.
• Natural makeup aims to look like you’re not wearing any, despite being an artificial enhancement.

The Meaning of Naturalness

• Naturalness varies from culture to culture and from practice to practice.
• It invokes certain values or virtues associated with a particular practice or aesthetic.
• For example, textured hair that hasn’t been straightened is considered natural and challenges the racist aesthetic that says hair has to be straight to be beautiful.

Bodily Integrity and Circumcision

• Bodily integrity is reflected in the concept of the whole body and refers to the idea that our bodies should be respected and not violated.
• Male circumcision is a complex case as it involves considerations of health benefits versus the violation of bodily integrity.
• In the United States, circumcision is not seen as contentious, but elsewhere it is increasingly viewed as a violation of a child’s body.

Resisting Social Norms and Collective Action

• Resisting social norms can have an impact in breaking them down, but it is not a duty for individuals to do so.
• Collective action is needed to challenge the idea that our bodies are never good enough.
• This can take various forms such as consciousness raising, political activism, regulation of companies, or public campaigns.

Summary

The Importance of the Unmodified Body

Claire Chambers advocates for embracing the more or less unmodified body as a way to foster authenticity and self-acceptance. By resisting societal pressures and norms that dictate how our bodies should look, we can reclaim our autonomy and challenge the idea that our bodies are never good enough.

Shame Tenants and Naturalness

Shame tenants, such as the expectation to keep menstruation private and the use of natural makeup to conceal imperfections, perpetuate the notion that our bodies are shameful and should be hidden. Naturalness, on the other hand, varies across cultures and practices, invoking certain values or virtues associated with a particular aesthetic. For instance, embracing textured hair challenges the racist aesthetic that deems straight hair as the only standard of beauty.

Bodily Integrity and Circumcision

Bodily integrity emphasizes the importance of respecting and not violating our bodies. Male circumcision presents a complex case, as it involves considerations of health benefits versus the violation of bodily integrity. While circumcision is widely accepted in the United States, it is increasingly seen as a violation of a child’s body in other parts of the world.

Resisting Social Norms and Collective Action

While individuals are not obligated to resist social norms, collective action is necessary to challenge the idea that our bodies are never good enough. Through consciousness raising, political activism, regulating companies, and public campaigns, we can work towards dismantling harmful beauty standards and promoting body acceptance.

Conclusion

Claire Chambers highlights the significance of embracing the unmodified body as a way to cultivate authenticity and self-acceptance. By challenging shame tenants, redefining naturalness, and advocating for bodily integrity, we can resist societal pressures and promote a culture of body acceptance. Collective action is crucial in breaking down harmful beauty standards and fostering a more inclusive and empowering society.