Psychosomatic: Feminism and the Neurological BodyHow can scientific theories contribute to contemporary accounts of embodiment in the humanities and social sciences? In particular, how does neuroscientific research facilitate new approaches to theories of mind and body? Feminists have frequently criticized the neurosciences for biological reductionism, yet, Elizabeth A. Wilson argues, neurological theories—especially certain accounts of depression, sexuality, and emotion—are useful to feminist theories of the body. Rather than pointing toward the conventionalizing tendencies of the neurosciences, Wilson emphasizes their capacity for reinvention and transformation. Focusing on the details of neuronal connections, subcortical pathways, and reflex actions, she suggests that the central and peripheral nervous systems are powerfully allied with sexuality, the affects, emotional states, cognitive appetites, and other organs and bodies in ways not fully appreciated in the feminist literature. Whether reflecting on Simon LeVay’s hypothesis about the brains of gay men, Peter Kramer’s model of depression, or Charles Darwin’s account of trembling and blushing, Wilson is able to show how the neurosciences can be used to reinvigorate feminist theories of the body. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
analysis anatomical animals argues become behavior biological blushing bodily body bowel brain Breuer and Freud cells chapter cognitive complex conceptual constituted contemporary conventional conversion hysteria cortex critical cultural Darwin David-Ménard depression differentiated digestion dimorphic pattern disorder E. A. Wilson effects enteric nervous system enterological evolution evolutionary theories example feminism FGIDS Frau Emmy Fraulein Elisabeth Freud frog functional gastric pains gastrointestinal Gershon Griggers heterosexual homosexual human hypothalamus hysterical INAH influence inheritance innervation interest intestine kind Kramer Lamarckian Lamarckism LeDoux LeVay LeVay's data LeVay's study limbic system Listening to Prozac MacLean MacLean's MacLean's model mammalian mechanisms muscles myoclonus nature nerve neural neurasthenia neurobiological neurological neurons neuroscience organs patient peripheral nervous system phylogenetic physiological psyche psychic psychoanalysis psychological events psychosomatic relation reptiles reptilian reticulating Sacks Sacks's scientific serotonergic serotonin sex difference sexual orientation Showalter social somatic species structure sympathetic symptoms Talley tion trauma triune worms