Why We Dance: A Philosophy of Bodily Becoming

by Kimerer L. LaMothe

Within intellectual paradigms that privilege mind over matter, dance has long appeared as a marginal, derivative, or primitive art. Drawing support from theorists and artists who embrace matter as dynamic and agential, this book offers a visionary definition of dance that illuminates its constitutive work in the ongoing evolution of human persons. Why We Dance introduces a philosophy of bodily becoming that posits bodily movement as the source and telos of human life. Within this philosophy, dance appears as an activity that humans evolved to do as the enabling condition of their best bodily becoming. Weaving theoretical reflection with accounts of lived experience, this book positions dance as a catalyst in the development of human consciousness, compassion, ritual proclivity, and ecological adaptability. Aligning with trends in new materialism, affect theory, and feminist philosophy, as well as advances in dance and religious studies, this work reveals the vital role dance can play in reversing the trajectory of ecological self-destruction along which human civilization is racing.

Genres: Philosophy

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

Reviews

[TL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading this on the Wellbutrin 300 hits different

[Alberic · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has good intentions but too many off-topics:

1) Talking about newton’s law could apply but she mentioned movement from cells in a very complex way , which confused me.
2) When she mentioned pregnancy and “Foetus dancing” to me this is clear off-topic; something that men and children can’t relate to, especially in the way she talked about it.

After 120 pages, unable to enter the book, I just felt bored and frustrated.

Couple of good points:
- Dance is a vital art form (as you better understand yourself)
- Dance allows us to better communicate (because basically we better understand ourselves on a much deeper level, not only technically/emotionally but metaphysically, which takes on everything- the so called “matter” or “materialisation of thoughts”, the timing, musicality, weight, balance, etc, etc) teaching creates a connection beyond explainable words.
- and also basically “Don’t dance because you want to become technically good, dance because you love the feeling of it”

Couple of other good points also, but too many paragraphs of off-topics, no catchphrases.

Not my type of books.

[Summer Bordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Religion, without dance, loses its moral compass." (196)

[Mills College Library]

793.301 L235 2015