The Body as Machine

This episode delves into the metaphor of the body as a machine, a concept deeply shaped by René Descartes in the 17th century. His comparison of the body to a mechanical system, like a clock, reflected the era's medical advancements, and helped establish a mechanistic view of human anatomy. Yet this metaphor carries profound implications. As later critics like Wendell Berry argue, it reduces the body to a mere object, stripping away its connection to nature and the land. The episode explores how this shift in thinking continues to influence modern medicine and our relationship with our own bodies.

Guest: Michael Burkett of USC Athletics