Psychosomatic: Feminism and the Neurological Body

by Elizabeth A. Wilson

How can scientific theories contribute to contemporary accounts of embodiment in the humanities and social sciences? In particular, how does neuroscientific research facilitate new approaches to theories of mind and body? Feminists have frequently criticized the neurosciences for biological reductionism, yet, Elizabeth A. Wilson argues, neurological theories—especially certain accounts of depression, sexuality, and emotion—are useful to feminist theories of the body. Rather than pointing toward the conventionalizing tendencies of the neurosciences, Wilson emphasizes their capacity for reinvention and transformation. Focusing on the details of neuronal connections, subcortical pathways, and reflex actions, she suggests that the central and peripheral nervous systems are powerfully allied with sexuality, the affects, emotional states, cognitive appetites, and other organs and bodies in ways not fully appreciated in the feminist literature. Whether reflecting on Simon LeVay’s hypothesis about the brains of gay men, Peter Kramer’s model of depression, or Charles Darwin’s account of trembling and blushing, Wilson is able to show how the neurosciences can be used to reinvigorate feminist theories of the body.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Theory, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Gender

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Elizabeth A. Wilson is Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Emory University and the author of Psychosomatic: Feminism and the Neurological Body, also published by Duke University Press.

Reviews

[kari]

Wilson's reading of theory of evolution and neuropsychology is fresh, although sometimes naive. The book's biggest forte - the lack of thinking patterns which, sadly, infect you after enough years on the scientific side of academia - is also it's biggest flaw: Wilson cannot position certain findings in the context of biological sciences and cannnot gauge their importance. Her thoughts are still interesting, though.

[Miriam]

Could have used better organization.

[Zach Irvin]

An interesting attempt to bring feminist thought and biology together. Wilson's argument makes sense, to me at least. Both the hard sciences and gender studies could benefit from a mutual interaction.