Philosophical Practice, Body Image, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

This paper focuses on using Philosophical Practice to help clients with maladaptive body images. Specifically, the author argues that Philosophical Practice can play a central role in treating clients with Body Dysmorphia, even those who are, or should be, under the care of a clinician. The author describes a case in which a Practitioner uses clinical research on the role of aesthetics in Body Dysmorphia. In this instance, the Practitioner explored with the client both Aesthetic and Ethical ideals to help the client refashion their hierarchy of values and attain a more rewarding sense of meaning and self-identity. The Practitioner guided the client by delving into Walter Benjamin’s aesthetic notion of aura and Aristotle’s ethics to bring them self-realization as they came to see the importance of uniqueness in aesthetic value and the value in Aristotle’s idea of the great-souled person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]