A Philosophical Examination of Sacred and Profane Bodies Essay

This essay explores the philosophical concepts of sacred and profane bodies, drawing upon the works of Nietzsche, the Bible, Emile Durkheim, and Julia Kristeva. It defines the body as both an aesthetic material and a potential temple, highlighting the individual's power to determine its sacred or profane nature through actions and beliefs. The essay contrasts the sacred body, associated with purity and positive energy, with the profane body, often linked to impurity and negative influences. It delves into Kristeva's concept of abjection and its impact on the human psyche, suggesting religion as a means to counter its power. The essay emphasizes the importance of controlling the mind to achieve a sacred body, thereby channeling energy in a positive direction. References include works by Fletcher and Benjamin, Giddens, Huss, and Kristeva.

Running head : PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1
PHILOSOPHY
The renowned German philosopher Nietzsche defined the human body as an “aesthetic
material” through which we, humans, have the power to create a work of art. The Holy Bible
describes the body as the temple. The body is much more than just some form of anatomy. It is
much more and beyond science (Fletcher and Benjamin 2012). In philosophical terms, our body
is sacred when it is pure and holy. A profane body is often considered as impious or sacrilegious.
What we often forget that it is entirely up to us to make this body “holy” or “unholy” by
committing certain acts. The body is gifted with unthinkable and enormous powers. It is for us to
realize this and work towards attaining a higher Self which is separate from our material Self.
In Christianity, women are considered impure compared to men. Eve, who represents all
women on Earth is assigned to the role of a temptress of man. Emile Durkhiem who was a
French sociologist considered religion to be a combination of both the sacred and the profane.
Every human Soul is impure at birth. It is only when it is in this world that it develops imprints
and gets marred by conventions and thoughts (Giddens 2013). Our aim should be to be the
sacred body, a body which radiates nothing but light and positive energy. We must remember
that humans are nothing but energy. In fact, the entire Universe is made up of energy. Hence, we
should know how to channelize our energy in the right direction. It is to our discretion whether
we choose become a sacred body or a profane body. But one should remember that we are much
more than this body. In earlier days, women were considered profane and inferior. It was a result
of illiteracy and superstitious beliefs. Nature is the best example of the sacred.
In order to reach the higher plane and get enlightened, one’s actions should not be like
the profane. We must constantly strive for actions that determine purity of body and mind. Our
actions should be devoid of any malice. In Julia Kristeva’s essay, Power of Horror: An essay of
Abjection, she dwells upon the abject and its power to psychologically impair us (Huss 2014).

2
PHILOSOPHY
She says that to counter attack the power of the abject humans developed the concept of religion.
It is in religion that we lose all our fears. Kristeva also believes in Freud’s theory and she states
that the human mind has a tendency to go back to fulfill the suppressed desires (Kristeva 1982).
The reader can compare the object of desire of Lacan with Kristeva’s abject. The abject in
Kristeva’s essay is defined as something that disrupts or disturbs the higher identity or order. She
also states that though we, humans have no idea what the abject is, we do not desire it yet we
rejoice in it and we are constantly drawn towards it. Thus, it is entirely upon us to become a
sacred or profane body. In order to become a sacred body we must first learn how to control our
mind. As the mind is the controller of our fears, desires and every other emotion.

3
PHILOSOPHY
References:
Fletcher, J. and Benjamin, A., 2012. Abjection, melancholia and love: The work of Julia
Kristeva. Routledge.
Giddens, A., 2013. The transformation of intimacy: Sexuality, love and eroticism in modern
societies. John Wiley & Sons.
Huss, B., 2014. The Sacred is the Profane, Spirituality is not Religion. Method and Theory in the
Study of Religion, 1, pp.1-7.
Kristeva, J., 1982. Approaching abjection. Oxford Literary Review, 5(1\2), pp.125-149.