[The body--a sight worth seeing. Anatomy in controversy].
Astronomy and anatomy, for a long period at a standstill, mostly taught using old text books, gradually witnessed a reawakening. One began to trust one's own eyes, and the scientific view of the heavens and the dissected body satisfied both the needs of scientific enlightenment as well as people's curiosity and desire for sensation. In addition, the scientific view brought about an awareness of the individual's finiteness and his essential nothingness as well as an awe in the face of God's creation. In the 19th century, anatomy receded from public life, disappearing behind the closed doors of universities. From this perspective, only scientific, "expert" interest remained. Only in present times have the non-scientific views (mentioned above) been shown greater interest. It has become clear that anatomical exhibitions neither disturb the dead nor devalue their dignity, and these exhibitions have become popular worldwide. Not only do they satisfy peoples curiosity and desire for sensation, but also confront the individual with his existential vulnerability. Man's conception is now open to various interpretations, but seldom do historical, anatomical or pathological museums of medicine satisfy this human yearning to know, not to mention the pecuniary aspects of such institutions.
Wetz
Franz Josef
FJ
Institut für Humanwissenschaften/Philosophie, Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd, Alicenstrasse 22c, 35390 Giessen, Germany. fjwetz@t-online.de
D000715:Anatomy / Q000941:ethics*; D001317:Austria; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009014:Morals; D012586:Science / Q000941:ethics*