The Last Farewell to the Body: A Dialogue with Lo Proton on Word and Face in 'The Society of Ghosts'
French sociologist and anthropologist David Le Breton explores the existential condition through a sensory and cultural lens in his work 'The Society of Ghosts'.
David Le Breton, a prominent French sociologist and anthropologist, presents his intellectual project that boldly addresses the human condition by integrating an 'existential sociology' approach. Unlike traditional abstract philosophical discourses, Le Breton focuses on the meanings that seep from the body, sensory experiences, and the often-overlooked nuances of daily life. His foundational work 'The Body and Society', published in 1985, challenged classical sociology by placing the body at the heart of critical thinking, portraying it not merely as a biological entity but as a complex semantic fabric and a cultural mirror reflecting the transformations of human existence amidst an increasingly noisy and technological world.
Throughout his career, Le Breton has developed what can be described as a comprehensive 'sensory anthropology', using concepts such as pain, silence, laughter, sensory experiences, risk, and withdrawal as keys to understanding the anxieties of modernity. His significant works, including 'Anthropology of Body and Modernity', 'Sociology of the Body', and 'Anthropology of Pain', have been translated into Arabic, emphasizing their relevance and impact on broader cultural discussions in the Arab world. Le Breton's insights invite readers to reconsider how the physical body and sensory experiences shape our perceptions of identity and meaning in contemporary society.