Abstract

AMSTEL, Narayna Astra Van; QUITZAU, Evelise Amgarten  and  SILVA, Marcelo Moraes e. ‘The body as the dwelling place of the holy spirit’: education of the body in Benjamin Franklin’s work (1732-1790). Rev. Bras. Hist. Educ [online]. 2021, vol.21, e146.  Epub Dec 09, 2020. ISSN 2238-0094.  https://doi.org/10.4025/rbhe.v21.2021.e146.

Benjamin Franklin was an American thinker who became an iconic figure in the imagination of the people of the United States. This article presents his contributions to the education of the body. To this end, a research was carried out, having as sources Franklin’s writings containing prescriptions referring to diet and physical exercises. The analysis of the sources showed that a morality of a religious nature shaped body care, presenting elements of quantification, individualization, training and moderation of habits, with an emphasis on the role of swimming as a useful and healthy activity. It was concluded that a Protestant morality influenced Franklin’s view as to the education of the body by means of utilitarianism linked to asceticism as lifestyle.

Keywords : protestantism; education of the body; history of the body; health.

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