The thesis tackles the problem of human excretions by applying philosophical and anthropological methodologies. It extends the scope of excreta beyond the sphere of mere bodily excretions to highlight its structural similarities with processes of verbalization. Humans excrete bodily fluids and thoughts. In my thesis, these two types of excretions are combined and related to toilet training practices, which the child adopts at the developmental phase marked also with language acquisition. The infant relates to its cultural world by learning and socializing his/her poop and uttered words. Modes of secretion are influenced by the socio-symbolic world that we inhabit, therefore it is important to highlight the cultural and historical relativity of our constantly changing relation to excretions. Due to the constancy of their secreting, humans are beings of excretions. Moreover, humans constantly redefine the nature of their bodily and verbal excretions. In recent times, verbal secreting has become especially prevalent, finding its justification in the necessity of having opinions. Our attitude towards bodily and verbal excretions changes also in the course of one’s life and is dependent upon specific situations which demand either excretory congestion or excretory freedom.
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