Congratulations! Former Art & Science student Barbara Macek defended her dissertation with honors in December 2023.
Autoimmunity and Anthropological Difference
Dissertation by Barbara Macek
Abstract:
At the centre of this work is „autoimmunity“ – an activity of the immune system that is directed towards the body’s own tissue –, and its implications. The goal is to investigate the mystery autoimmunity poses within medicine under a multitude of perspectives. This multitude results from combining different positions of philosophy, medicine, literary and cultural studies, that are analyzed in regard to the meaning of autoimmunity. The research process is guided by Helmuth Plessner’s biophilosophical method that aims at seeing with different eyes. It originates from personal experience; it is especially the experience of pain that allows for the intended „seeing understanding“. In accordance with Plessner’s criteria the work is shaped by the personal involvement with an autoimmune disease and a basic attitude of openness. By questioning the relation of autoimmunity to the recent epoch traditional motives of immunological discourses come to light. After presenting SLE as an exemplary autoimmune disease there is a first focus on living with lupus and the documentation of experiences with autoimmunity at various (individual, social) levels. This is followed by a discussion of the „anthropological difference“ as the question of humanity in the face of animality, and by pursuing the implications of a translocation of this border to the inside of man. By means of Plessner’s theory of existential positionality autoimmunity can be drafted as a critical manifestation of eccentric positionality. Finally the revealed threads are joined and poetical interpretations of „becoming autoimmune“ along with new images of autoimmunity are put up for discussion.

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Defensio of Dissertation by Barbara Macek
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Date
December 14, 2023
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PhD Students
- Barbara Macek (PhD Dissertation Defensio)
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Alumni
- Barbara Macek (PhD Dissertation Defensio)
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