Der Körper ist nur Werkzeug

The work "Der Körper ist nur Werkzeug" questions "The construction of civil subjects by the Philantropists" a pedagogical reform movement at the end of the eighteenth century. The aim of these philanthropists was to create a "new man" by applying new forms and contents of upbringing and education: the enlightened, rational and useful citizen. Therefore they established model schools, the so-called Philantropine and developed a system of physical training using the plasticity of the human body. Their intention was to imbue the pupils' bodies with civil values e.g. industriousness, courage and self-discipline … Based on the works "Von der Bildung des Körpers in Rücksicht auf die Vollkommenheit und Glückseligkeit der Menschen" (1787) by Peter Villaume and "Gymnastik für die Jugend" (1793) by Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths the work analyzes the Philantropists' efforts to optimize body and mind. The current challenges we face caused by Gen-technology and Bio-technology force us to discuss the question of shaping the body not only under an ethical, philosophical or medical point of view but also under a historical one. With my look into the century of pedagogy I have tried to make an additional remark to the discussion about the future of the body under the perspective of cultural science. I hope this supports new insights and conclusions.