English

Michel Serres_Variations on the Body

(...) Chapter One: Metamorphosis Overview: This chapter explores the human bod y's power of metamorphosis. As soon hands are used for locomotion as well as feet, the mountain climber transforms into the quadrumane from which humans evolved. In this state, experienced as a mobile envelope, broader than the mere physical body, this state consisting in the body's adaptable global grasp of the exigencies of the world, thought and the mind are mostly dormant, unnecessary. This envelope also functions as a protective habitation, hence the climber's confidence. Once upright, this envelope bursts and the human is born. No longer secure, the need to build a dwelling arises, hence also the need to think. Pain transforms the body into a quivering mass, possessed by the demon of fear. Vigorous physical training and engaged activity can give us the perfect bodies that angels are supposed to have and… angelic jo y . (...)

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