Somatyzacja dominacji. Ciało w teorii socjologicznej Pierre’a Bourdieu
Somatization of Domination. The Body in Pierre Bourdieu’s theory

Summary/Abstract: In contemporary sociology researching the body is undoubtedly one of the most prominent and growing research areas. This paper discusses power relations executed through bodily practices. Therefore Pierre Bourdieu’s social theory is an appropriate starting point for an enquiry into this subject because of its ability to overcome the sociologically grounded opposition between an individual and structure, and between the mind and the body. When analysing the phenomenon of power the French sociologist focuses on its symbolic aspect – the ability to remain both arbitrary and misrecognised (ergo, hidden and socially accepted) even by the ones subjected to it. Bourdieu proves that by assimilating arbitrary qualities the body internalises domination, and it is this phenomenon of somatization of power that causes its unrecognizability. This process may be best exemplified by relations between sexes, through the analysis of conditions leading to the submission of female body and explanations of difficulties in liberation from male domination. Importantly, in Bourdieu’s theory, the body is both the carrier of symbolic meanings and a fully material being. That means that body is also an indicator of social class, while being a type of resource called physical capital, which may be used to gain and maintain social status. Therefore, the paper depicts symbolic power as the ability to enforce the way of defining the body and its appearance by dominant classes. Pierre Bourdieu’s theory is widely illustrated by the findings of other social scientists.

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