Food, Beauty, Mind | Philosophy Tube
Philosophy Tube・28 minutes read
The episode explores themes of fatphobia, beauty standards, shame, womanhood, eating disorders, and philosophy, delving into philosophers' views and personal struggles with body image, societal norms, and gender expectations, emphasizing societal pressure on women to conform to impossible ideals. Various philosophers' theories, historical perspectives on dieting trends, and societal standards are discussed, highlighting the impact of power, surveillance, and institutions on shaping behaviors and perceptions. Kelly shares personal experiences, work-life balance views, and leadership perspectives, while Nigella Lawson advocates for fighting unhealthy pleasures with genuine pleasure to prevent self-persecution, particularly in the context of eating.
Insights
- Abigail uses baking a lemon drizzle cake to delve into complex themes of fatphobia, beauty standards, eating disorders, and the philosophy of mind, highlighting the multifaceted nature of societal pressures and personal struggles related to body image.
- The discussion of philosophers like John Locke, David Hume, Emmanuel Kant, Simon Critchley, Michel Foucault, and feminist scholars reveals a deep exploration of the split self, power dynamics, societal influences on subjectivity, and the political implications of internalizing societal standards, showcasing a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between individual experiences and broader cultural constructs.
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Themes of fatphobia, beauty standards, shame, womanhood, eating disorders, and the philosophy of mind are explored in the episode.
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Summary
00:00
"PhilosophyTube: Lemon Drizzle Cake and Identity"
- Abigail introduces the show as PhilosophyTube, celebrating one million subscribers by baking a lemon drizzle cake.
- Abigail reveals the rented production studio, not her actual home, and the realization that the video is about more than just food.
- The episode delves into themes of fatphobia, beauty standards, shame, womanhood, eating disorders, and the philosophy of mind.
- Ingredients for the lemon drizzle cake include butter, caster sugar, lemons, elderflower cordial, eggs, granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, ground almonds, and poppy seeds.
- Abigail discusses philosophers like John Locke, David Hume, and Emmanuel Kant's views on subjects, perceptions, and the self.
- Simon Critchley's concept of the split self, with the experienced self and the ideal self, is explored in relation to conscience and criticism.
- Hilal Schwartz's historical perspective on dieting trends from 1930 to 1980, targeting various markets and creating cycles of shame and failure.
- Michel Foucault's theory of technologies of subjection, like calories, as tools shaping relationships with oneself, influenced by surveillance and institutions.
- Foucault's emphasis on power as productive, not just repressive, in creating subjects within society, shaping behaviors and perceptions.
- Abigail reflects on her personal struggles with body image, transitioning, societal gender norms, and the pressure to conform to idealized standards of beauty and masculinity.
18:15
Societal pressures on women's body image
- Society views womanhood as questionable, leading to pressure to conform to an impossible ideal.
- Dark-skinned black women, like Thai Talks, feel compelled to be hyper-feminine due to societal perceptions.
- Feminist philosophers have studied how women's subjectivities are shaped, particularly in relation to food and body image.
- Nigella Lawson is cited as an example of an unrealistic body standard for women.
- Naomi Wolf highlights the political implications of women internalizing societal standards.
- Reverend Sylvester Graham promoted thinness and diets as part of a broader social control program.
- Hillel Schwartz discusses how societal acceptance of fat challenges capitalist norms and promotes empathy.
- Naomi Wolf, a survivor of anorexia, emphasizes the impact of societal ideals on women's subjectivity.
- Kelly discusses her fintech startup, Fierce, which gamifies online shopping and offers payment solutions.
- Kelly's personal experiences and views on work-life balance, maternity leave, and leadership are shared.
36:41
"Combat Unhealthy Pleasures with Genuine Pleasure"
- Nigella Lawson emphasizes fighting unhealthy pleasures with genuine pleasure, particularly in the context of eating, to prevent the erosion of pleasure by turning it into self-persecution.
