Desire is an essential part of human experience, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can be defined as a strong feeling towards something or someone that motivates us to act. Embodiment, on the other hand, refers to the physical sensations and experiences associated with being alive in one's body. Together, these concepts present challenges to abstract notions of autonomy and agency. Autonomy implies freedom from external control, while agency suggests self-determination and capacity for action. In this essay, I will explore how lived experiences of desire and embodiment challenge these abstract ideas.
The first way in which lived experiences of desire and embodiment challenge abstract notions of autonomy and agency is through their interdependence. Desire and embodiment are inseparable aspects of human existence, meaning they cannot be understood independently.
Sexual desire is often experienced as physical sensations in the body, such as arousal, excitement, and pleasure. These sensations shape our thoughts and behaviors, influencing our decisions and choices. Therefore, any notion of autonomous choice that ignores the influence of desire and embodiment is incomplete and misleading.
Desire and embodiment challenge the idea of unrestricted autonomy by highlighting the role of context in shaping our desires and experiences. Our cultural, social, and political contexts strongly influence what we desire and how we experience our bodies.
Societal norms about gender, sexuality, race, class, ability, and age impact how individuals express themselves physically and emotionally. This means that autonomous choices may be limited by structural constraints beyond an individual's control.
Desire and embodiment challenge the concept of pure agency by revealing its limitations and contradictions. While agency involves self-determination and decision-making power, it is constrained by factors like biology, culture, history, and socialization.
Some people may have stronger sex drives than others due to genetic predispositions or life circumstances. Similarly, cultural norms around modesty, propriety, and intimacy can limit one's capacity for freely expressing one's eroticism.
Lived experiences of desire and embodiment challenge abstract notions of autonomy and agency by showing their interdependence, the influence of context on these concepts, and their inherent limitations. Understanding this requires a shift towards relational approaches that recognize the dynamic and complex nature of human existence.
How do lived experiences of desire and embodiment challenge abstract notions of autonomy and agency?
Desire is an innate human need that affects our actions and motivations. It involves a complex interplay between thoughts and feelings, such as wanting something specific or desiring someone else. Embodiment refers to how people experience themselves through their bodies - their physical sensations, movements, and perceptions. Autonomy and agency refer to our ability to make decisions and act independently based on our values and beliefs.