Interview about the Weavings and Meanings of Bodies With David Le Breton

Abstract

In this interview with David Le Breton, conducted by Aggée Célestin Lomo Myazhiom, we have the privilege of exploring new paths in understanding the human body and its relationship with society. Le Breton, a renowned author in the fields of sociology and anthropology of the body, delves into the complexity of human experience and how our perception of the body shapes our understanding of the world around us. He addresses a wide range of topics, including the fragmentation of the body in contemporary society, the role of medicine in disease treatment, the anxieties of adolescents, the impacts of Covid-19, and even the ethical and moral consequences of new technologies that are reconfiguring our existence.

In an enlightening and provocative dialogue, Le Breton takes us on an intellectual journey, examining the multiple facets of the human body, both in its physical, embodied aspect, and its symbolic role, and its fundamental role in shaping identity and social relations. His perspectives not only shed light on crucial aspects of contemporaneity but also challenge our traditional conceptions, opening new perspectives on the future of humanity and the constant contemporary uncertainty of our relationship with the body.

This interview, originally conducted and transcribed in French, is part of a publication coordinated by Aggée Célestin Lomo Myazhiom. It was conducted on the occasion of the colloquium "Bodies, Identity(ies), and Societies: Around David Le Breton," which took place at the University of Strasbourg, France, on September 8 and 9, 2022. This event brought together researchers from various parts of the world, all engaged in the research themes that David Le Breton has been exploring throughout his career.