Tanishka:
Hi, so can you first please tell me a little bit about yourself?
Jennifer Luo:
Sure! My name is Jennifer Luo. I teach here at Seattle University as an adult professor in the philosophy department. This is my fourth year of teaching. I primarily teach courses like PHIL 2500, which is “Philosophy and the Human Person,” and PHIL 1400, which is “Becoming You,” the class you took. I’m Chinese-American, second generation, and my current research focuses on topics like activity and emotions. I also do research in classical Chinese philosophy.
Tanishka:
Thank you! So, in your research, have you explored the concept of formlessness in Chinese philosophy? How do you think these ideas could challenge the way society views body image and beauty?
Jennifer Luo:
That’s a great question. I think the work you’re referring to is the idea that truth doesn’t take any particular shape or form—it’s formless. Some early thinkers even associated truth with beauty, with an internal, more profound beauty. So, if truth is formless, then beauty, as a kind of truth, also doesn’t need a specific shape or form. In modern concepts of beauty, I think this perspective challenges societal norms on what constitutes beauty. It invites us to rethink whether beauty can truly take any shape or if it’s just a societal construct. So, from that standpoint, beauty doesn’t have to follow the norms we see in today’s standards.
Tanishka:
That’s a very new perspective about beauty that I hadn’t thought about, especially how you connected it to philosophy. I really like that. My next question is: do you believe that philosophy, especially ideas about transformation and identity, can help people develop a healthier relationship with their bodies and challenge societal beauty standards?
Jennifer Luo:
Oh, that’s a profound question, especially when you’re asking about transformation. Could you clarify what you mean by transformation?
Tanishka:
Sure! By transformation, I mean the desire to completely change how we look. For example, many people’s goal in exercising isn’t just to get fit, but to completely change their body’s appearance.
Jennifer Luo:
Ah, I see what you mean. You’re talking about transforming one state of being into another—perhaps a more idealized version of oneself. Philosophy, in this sense, is very useful because it helps us understand that human beings are always in a state of becoming. We are always transitioning, whether we’re improving, regressing, or maintaining a neutral state. For example, a year ago, we were different from who we are now, and we’ll continue to evolve. The idea of transformation isn’t necessarily about reaching perfection—it’s about continuous change.
When it comes to body image and transformation, some people seek to change their bodies through plastic surgery because they feel their current state isn’t ideal. They want to transform into what they believe is a more “perfect” body, with ideal proportions or size. However, this transformation can be artificial and often forces the body to undergo unnatural procedures. And there are risks involved—some people never recover, and the worst-case scenario is death due to complications like blood loss.
Philosophically speaking, we should focus on what it means to love oneself. In modern discourse, the normalization of beauty standards is a form of oppression. Women, in particular, face stricter and more intense standards. We need to consider the broader social structures—like gender and class—that shape these beauty ideals. Philosophy helps us understand that self-love is about accepting who we are and realizing that perfection is subjective and individual. It’s not about trying to meet an external standard, but about self-empowerment. And this empowerment can also extend to others who feel pressured to meet these standards and, at times, resort to extreme measures like plastic surgery.
Tanishka:
That reminds me of one of our readings where we discussed how plastic surgery can drastically change someone, but the deeper emotional and psychological impacts don’t disappear. Even when someone successfully undergoes surgery, they might still feel unsatisfied or depressed, as we saw in the reading.
Jennifer Luo:
Exactly. You’re absolutely right. The question is: what drives someone, especially a young woman, to take the risk of surgery, even if it could be life-threatening, just to meet beauty standards? And even if the surgery is successful, it doesn’t remove the underlying issues. It doesn’t take away the depression, the pain, or the oppression that comes with the pressure to conform. So, we have to ask: why do we feel we need to fix ourselves in ways that don’t really address the root of the issue?
Tanishka:
Yeah, and you’re absolutely right. Even with surgery, the problem is still there, and it just gets deeper. I feel like the more we try to fix ourselves, the less satisfied we become. I have a family member who constantly gets cosmetic procedures, but even after that, she still feels like she’s not enough and keeps going back for more.
Jennifer Luo:
That’s a perfect example. The issue is that this constant desire for transformation indicates an addiction. And if the process doesn’t lead to satisfaction, then the problem isn’t in the appearance—it’s something deeper. This shows that societal norms are shaping how we feel about ourselves, but these norms don’t truly reflect who we are. It’s a continual cycle where we keep trying to fix ourselves based on external expectations, but it’s a never-ending loop.
Tanishka:
Exactly. So, what would you say to people who are struggling with body image issues? What is one piece of advice you would give them?
Jennifer Luo:
I’d tell them that they are special and unique, and they are worthy of love. Especially to young women and members of the trans community who feel unlovable—I want them to know they are loved, capable, and there are people out there who care about them. They are not alone.