The Deepest Sense, Constance Classen

 Classen explores how various cultures and societies have approached and understood the sense of touch. In many Western cultures, touch has historically been considered a more "primitive" or "animalistic" sense compared to sight or hearing, which have often been deemed more intellectual or refined. This devaluation of touch can be seen in how tactile experiences are often downplayed or dismissed, especially in comparison to the visual or auditory senses in experiencing the world. In other cultures, touch has much greater significance. In certain Eastern and indigenous cultures, touch is considered a vital sense for understanding the world, connecting with others, and healing. Touch in these contexts is viewed as a means of communication and a way of expressing affection and solidarity. Classen also discusses how cultural attitudes toward touch influence social norms and practices. In some modern societies, touch is often regulated by formal and informal codes that govern appropriate contact—such as the cultural taboos surrounding public displays of affection or the professional boundaries in workplace interactions. These boundaries reflect deeper anxieties about the role of touch in social life, revealing how touch can be both an intimate bond and a source of power, control, or even violation. One of the key themes in The Deepest Sense is how touch has been used as a tool of power. Classen examines various historical and social contexts in which touch has been utilized to assert dominance or control. Classen also considers the notion of “touch as a violation.” While touch is often associated with intimacy, love, and connection, it can also be an instrument of aggression, as in instances of assault or oppression. The role of touch in such contexts reveals how deeply the sense is tied to ideas of boundaries and personal autonomy.