Visceral Life

Towards Concorporeal Bioethics

Abstract

This paper delves into the interplay between embodiment, environment, and affectivity in the context of posthumanist theories of the body, mainly the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, bridging the visceral with the existential. Centering on the philosophy of auto-hetero-affection, the paper challenges traditional notions of selfhood, advocating for an understanding of the self as fluid, continuously reshaped through interactions with alterity. A critical tension arises when juxtaposing the empirical methodologies employed in healthcare, which often reduce the body to mere biomedical mechanics, against the rich phenomenological experiences of the lived body. Through the narrative from Malin Kivelä and the theories of Francisco Varela, Natalie Depraz, and Catherine Malabou, the paper underscores the body's inherent vulnerabilities, urging a shift from masculinized medical discourses to a more holistic appreciation of human experiences. This exploration further interweaves themes from phenomenology, biomedicine, and bioethics to prompt multifaceted discussions on human existence, emphasizing the need to appreciate biological mechanisms and the narratives and vulnerabilities shaping our shared reality. The conclusion draws upon the sentiment of fragility during the global pandemic, encapsulating the delicate balance of our understanding and innate vulnerabilities. The discourse thus calls for a reimagined perspective on embodiment, health, and the human experience, foregrounding the intertwining of cognitive and affective realms.