The Influence of Scientific Facts on Body Perception

This chapter explores how scientific knowledge shapes individuals' perception of their bodies and experiences through discussions on metaphor in human language, the evolution of terminology related to pregnancy, the impact of medicalization on women's self-perception, the interplay between personal narratives and scientific explanations, and the politicization and complex vocabulary surrounding the debate on abortion. It also delves into the concept of the public fetus and how different groups interpret and utilize images of the fetus for their agendas, examining the historical stance of the Catholic Church on abortion and the financial gains and symbolic values associated with medicalizing prenatal life.