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chapster300 t1_j3qx1rj wrote

I am currently writing an essay analysing ways in which scent has been used to control women throughout history. I was wondering if anyone knew any philosophers who wrote about the nature of scent - I know Kant did briefly, will dismissing it as “the most dispensable of the senses.” I haven’t seen scent mentioned elsewhere in any philosophy I’ve read though so I was hoping someone can help me out :)

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oryxmath t1_j3rvt4d wrote

Martha Nussbaum, a leading contemporary philosopher and legal scholar, has some great stuff on the philosophy of disgust and the law. It isn't strictly or exclusively about scent, but I think her general discussion of disgust might be useful. She is also definitely sensitive to how this all can be particularly impactful towards women.

The book is "Hiding from Humanity", and you can probably find some talks and readings online as well searching for "Martha Nussbaum on Disgust"

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