The following essay will concentrate on the construction of the other, the cybernetic and synthetic body in relation to the mind and the self, such as in Mary Shelley´s 'Frankenstein', E.T.A. Hoffmann´s 'Der Sandmann' as well as Mamoru Oshii´s 'Ghost in the shell'.
What are the relations of the different spheres of body, mind and society and how do they effect one another ? What are their effects on the self ? What makes up human beings ? These are the central question I will talk about. 1. Olimpia
If we take a look at the representation of Olympia´s body in 'Der Sandmann' we find out that there are a few mayor qualities concerning her physiognomy as described by Nathanael and the narrator. Nathanael thinks that he had never seen a more beautiful stature than hers (p.26) but on the other hand he describes her as numb and her eyes as lifeless (p.26, p. 27). Olimpias appearance at the ball is described as being strange concerning the form of her back and hips (p.29). It seems as if she is forced into her physiognomy by a corset or something comparable.
When Nathanael touches her hand (p. 30) he describes it as cold as ice and it reminds him of death. These are just a few features of Olimpia´s body, but I think they are representative for her in general. The descriptions seem to fit to that of an advance sex doll, which I think is not so far away from what Hoffman intended it to be like. Olimpia´s body has one mayor function, that is to serve one´s delight, rather than having a function of self-referential purpose. Professor Spalanzi built her to satisfy his scientific hunger, Nathanael uses it as an object to project his own desires onto it (as we have already pointed out in the course). She is just a means to an end. She is also described as to move in a rather measured and prim way. Her whole appearance is artificial and unnatural, one might say discrete and digital.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Olimpia
- Motoro
- Frankenstein's creature (I will simply call it Frankenman)
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay investigates the construction of the "other" – the cybernetic and synthetic body in relation to the mind and self. It uses examples from Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', E.T.A. Hoffmann's 'Der Sandmann', and Mamoru Oshii's 'Ghost in the shell' to explore the relationship between the spheres of body, mind, and society and their impact on the self.
- The relationship between body, mind, and society
- The construction of the self in relation to the body
- The role of technology in shaping perceptions of the human
- The nature of consciousness and self-awareness in artificial beings
- The potential for conflict between the individual and society
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Olimpia: This chapter examines the character of Olimpia from 'Der Sandmann', analyzing her artificial nature and her function as a mere object of desire. Her body, created by Professor Spalanzi, exists solely to serve others' desires. She is a prototypical automaton, devoid of self-awareness or true feelings.
- Motoro: This chapter delves into the character of Motoro from 'Ghost in the shell', exploring her relationship with her cybernetic body and the concept of the "ghost" as a representation of her mind. Motoro's body is a tool, but she possesses self-awareness. The chapter examines the tension between her natural mind and her synthetic body, emphasizing the potential for a new type of self through the unification of these two spheres.
- Frankenstein's creature (Frankenman): This chapter explores Frankenstein's creature, analyzing his creation and his journey towards self-awareness. His body, assembled from human parts, is grotesque and sets him apart from society. However, he develops a consciousness and experiences the world through his senses. The chapter examines the conflict between his body and his self, caused by society's rejection of his appearance and his subsequent quest for self-preservation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores key concepts such as the construction of the other, the cybernetic and synthetic body, mind-body duality, self-awareness, human-machine relations, artificial intelligence, societal perception, and the tension between individual and society.
- Quote paper
- Fabian Scholz (Author), 2007, The construction of the other, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/68739
