Intact

A Defence of the Unmodified Body

Intact
Clare Chambers
RRP:
NZ$ 50.00
Our Price:
NZ$ 40.00
Hardback
h240 x 162mm - 432pg
24 Feb 2022 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9780241439043
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
A vital exploration of equality and the body from an acclaimed political philosopherIn an age of social media and selfies, of pixel-perfect pictures and surgically enhanced celebrities, the pressure to change our bodies can often seem overwhelming. We are told we should conceal the signs of ageing and get our bodies back after pregnancy. We ought to perfect our complexions, build our biceps, trim our waistlines, cure our disabilities, conceal our quirks. More than ever before, we should contort our physical selves to prejudiced standards of beauty and acceptability. In this thought-provoking work, acclaimed political philosopher Clare Chambers argues that the unmodified body is a key principle of equality. While defending the right of anyone to change their bodies, she argues that the social pressure to modify sends a powerful message- you are not good enough. The body becomes a site of political importance- a place where inequalities of sex, gender, race, disability, age and class are reinforced. Through a clear-sighted analysis of the power dynamics that structure our society, and with examples ranging widely from body-building to breast implants, make-up to male circumcision, Intact stresses that we must break away from the oppressive forces that demand we alter our bodies. Instead, it offers a vision of the human body that is equal without expectation- an unmodified body that is not an image of perfection or a goal to be attained, but a valued end in itself.
A pleasure to read because it' s packed with new (to me) information and ideas and so absorbingly readable. A must-read for psychotherapists, doctors and everyone else who enjoys connecting ideas * Philippa Perry * Intact shocks and startles with real human stories but is both compassionate and challenging, warmly human and coolly rigorous. It left me questioning so many assumptions - what is natural, or normal? Who should decide what' s best for other people' s bodies, and how? I am now thinking afresh about how I live in my own body, in a world where, as Clare Chambers argues, nobody' s body is ever allowed to be good enough, just as it is -- Timandra Harkness, author of Big Data In this cogently argued and insightful book, Clare Chambers calls for us all to reject the pervasive messages that our bodies aren' t good enough and instead to accept and value the bodies we have. Intact is an essential read for all educators, policy makers, researchers and all those ready to call time on the beauty myths -- Nichola Rumsey OBE, Professor, UWE Bristol A wonderfully rich book. It' s not easy to combine complex, rigorous philosophy with clear and engaging prose. But Clare Chambers pulls this off brilliantly here -- David Edmonds, author of Wittgenstein' s Poker Essential reading for anyone with a body -- whether you love your body, hate your body, or fall somewhere in between, Clare Chambers will reshape how you think about it. Timely and trenchant, Intact recovers a seemingly lost principle: bodies matter. The significance of the material body for social and political justice, especially for historically oppressed groups, finds a stunning defense in these pages. You, your body, however it is, is good just as it is: a simple, but powerful statement of the fundamental equality of all persons. -- Lori Watson, Professor of Philosophy, University of Washington at St Louis A bold and brilliant book. Clare Chambers lucidly challenges the unquestioned assumptions of our visual culture. Intact is unique in its breadth, considering body modifications from make-up, to body building, to surgery and tattooing. She does not question the individual' s right to change their body, but does question the social positioning of such choices. For the naming of ' shametenance' alone this book should be a bestseller -- Heather Widdows, author of Perfect Me
Clare Chambers is a professor of Political Philosophy and a Fellow of Jesus College, University of Cambridge. The author of the acclaimed Against Marriage, she specializes in feminism, bioethics, contemporary liberalism and theories of social justice.
Status: Active
ISBN-13: 9780241439043
Published: 24 Feb 2022
Published In: United Kingdom
Imprint: Allen Lane
Publisher: Penguin Books
Format: Hardback
Height: 240mm
Width: 162mm
Spine: 38mm
Weight: 667g
Pages: 432

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information