{"product_id":"adorning-bodies-9781350301306","title":"Adorning Bodies","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow is meaning in our bodies constructed? To what extent is meaning in bodies innate, evolved through biological adaptations? To what extent is meaning in bodies culturally constructed? Does it change when we adorn ourselves in dress? In \u003ci\u003eAdorning Bodies,\u003c\/i\u003e Marilynn Johnson draws on evolutionary theory and philosophy in order to think about art, beauty, and aesthetics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConsidering meaning in bodies and bodily adornment, she explores how the ways we use our bodies are similar to  yet at other times different from  animals. Johnson engages with the work of evolutionary theorists, philosophers of language, and cultural theorists  Charles Darwin, H. P. Grice, and Roland Barthes respectively  to examine both natural and non-natural meanings. She addresses how both systems of meaning signify relevant information to other humans, with respect to both bodies and clothes. Johnson also demonstrates that how we dress could negatively influence the way our bodies can be read, and how\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e[H]ighly engaging and insightful, it comes as a very welcome entryway into discussions in the present and also leading philosophers into future avenues of research. Johnson presents astute analysis, while demonstrating each move of the argument with examples from history, popular culture, and science. Taking cues from theories of culture, biology, and psychology, this book maintains its core presence as philosophy, while exemplifying the kind of interdisciplinary research that should guide more academics. * Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eAdorning Bodies \u003c\/i\u003eis an important reminder of our embodied lives, where our adorned bodies are imbued with meaning, and that ‘everything speaks’. Johnson provides us with a fresh take on these themes, bringing the philosophy of language to life by applying it to our bodily selves in a lucid and engaging way. * Suki Finn, Lecturer, Royal Holloway University of London, UK *\u003cbr\u003eJohnson interprets adornment through the combined lenses of the philosophy of language and evolutionary theory. The result is interesting, informative and very enjoyable. The book is full of great insights, and made me re-evaluate my relationship to the clothes I wear. It's an excellent contribution to the literature. * Richard Moore, Senior Research Fellow, University of Warwick, UK *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eAdorning Bodies\u003c\/i\u003e invites us to consider how our bodies and clothing convey meaning, for better or for worse. Johnson masterfully appeals to the philosophy of language and evolutionary theory to develop a rich account of the meaning woven into the fabric we wear. From Darwin to Stonewall, the book makes elegant use of historical texts and contemporary examples. It will be invaluable for scholars and interesting to anyone who wants to think more deeply about what it means to get dressed. * Kate Moran, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Brandeis University, USA *\u003cbr\u003eMarilynn Johnson's \u003ci\u003eAdorning Bodies\u003c\/i\u003e rigorously and insightfully brings together three disciplines rarely combined in a unified framework, namely, the philosophy of language, evolutionary theory, and aesthetics. Focusing on bodily adornment, Johnson is able to carefully dissect such issues, among others as the question of whether animals create art, while also arguing that some high fashion is art, properly so called. Written with exemplary clarity, the range of issues is broad with many engaging examples that establish that the philosophy of adornment is a vast understudied area calling for further, continuing inquiry and discussion. * Noël Carroll, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. \u003c\/b\u003eMeaning in Bodies and Adornment  \u003cb\u003e2. \u003c\/b\u003eTaking Adornment Seriously: Structuralism and Meaning \u003cb\u003e3. \u003c\/b\u003eDetails on the Gricean View \u003cb\u003e4. \u003c\/b\u003eDeception in the Human and Animal Worlds (Imitation of Natural Meaning \u0026amp; Lying in Non-Natural Meaning) \u003cb\u003e5. \u003c\/b\u003eDarwin on Animal Bodies \u003cb\u003e6. \u003c\/b\u003eHuman Sexual Selection  \u003cb\u003e7. \u003c\/b\u003eThe Evolution of Bodily Adornment: Signaling and Meaning-Making in Prehistory \u003cb\u003e8. \u003c\/b\u003eInformation, Misperception, Suppression, Expression \u003cb\u003e9. \u003c\/b\u003eOn Beauty: Aesthetic Choices, Adornment, \u0026amp; Art \u003ci\u003eNotes Bibliography Index\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51039335514455,"sku":"9781350301306","price":28.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781350301306.jpg?v=1750943364","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/adorning-bodies-9781350301306","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}