1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910781226603321

Titolo

Beyond pleasure [[electronic resource] ] : cultures of modern asceticism / / edited by Evert Peeters, Leen Van Molle, and Kaat Wils

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, : Berghahn Books, c2011

ISBN

1-84545-987-3

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (260 p.)

Altri autori (Persone)

PeetersEvert

MolleLeen van <1953->

WilsKaat

Disciplina

909.8

Soggetti

Asceticism - History

Civilization, Modern

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

pt. 1. Cult places of authenticity -- pt. 2. Social regulation of pleasure -- pt. 3. Aesthetics and distinction.

Sommario/riassunto

Asceticism, so it is argued in this volume, is a modern category. The ubiquitous cult of the body, of fitness and diet equally evokes the ongoing success of ascetic practices and beliefs. Nostalgic memories of hardship and discipline in the army, youth movements or boarding schools remain as present as the fashionable irritation with the presumed modern-day laziness. In the very texture of contemporary culture, age-old asceticism proves to be remarkably alive. Old ascetic forms were remoulded to serve modern desires for personal authenticity, an authenticity that disconnected asceticism in the