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08-09-2015 | Theoretical / Philosophical Paper

I Am Not My Body, This Is Not My Body

Author: Yochai Ataria

Published in: Human Studies | Issue 2/2016

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Abstract

This paper suggests that during severe and prolonged traumatic experiences such as trauma type II, one may develop disownership toward the entire body. In this situation one’s body becomes a pure object and as such an integral part of the hostile environment. This article applies Merleau-Ponty’s approach to perception in order to improve our understanding of this process.

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I deeply thank Prof. Yemima Ben-Menahem for this insight. In a sense, this paper continues my dialogue with her.

Almost none of the papers discussing "trauma" and "PTSD" in connection with "phenomenology" (e.g., Carrion et al. 2002; Mellman et al. 1992; Tomb 1994) do not really adopt a phenomenological approach to trauma.

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Title: I Am Not My Body, This Is Not My Body
Author: Yochai Ataria
Publication date: 08-09-2015
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Human Studies / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0163-8548
Electronic ISSN: 1572-851X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10746-015-9366-0

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