Reforma ciała. Fizyczność Żydów polskich w oświeceniowych ocenach potencjału obywatelskiego
Reforming the Body: The Physicality of Polish Jews in the Enlightenment Assessments of Civic Potential

Summary/Abstract: The political thought of the Enlightenment, grounded in utilitarianism and populationism, along with advancements in medical science, sparked a growing interest in the human body, particularly regarding its role in benefiting society and the state. This focus extended to groups excluded from citizenship and social life, such as Jews. Evaluations of physicality, including health and sanitary conditions, helped identify aspects of traditional life in need of reform. Conversely, the Jewish body often evoked fear or disgust, creating a psychological barrier to imagining Polish-Jewish coexistence and hindering the realization of productivization goals.

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