Meaning and usage of the word body swerve in English

The phrase "body swerve" is derived from the Latin term "declinare corpus" which translates to "to incline the body." This expression was coined by the Roman philosopher Lucretius in his poetic treatise "De Rerum Natura" (On the Nature of Things) written around 50 BC. Lucretius used "declinare corpus" to describe the biological reaction of avoiding something repellent or potentially dangerous, in other words, an instinctive and involuntary physical recoil. It does not refer to a deliberate act of will, but rather an immediate and automatic response occurring at the level of the body. The English version of the term "body swerve" comes from the 17th-century philosopher and political theorist, Thomas Hobbes, who not only popularized the phrase but also redefined its meaning. Hobbes interpreted "body swerve" as an inner impulse that counters an individual's prior thoughts or beliefs, leading to a change in conduct or direction. In its modern usage, "body swerve" has retained its original meaning in a biological context, but it has also acquired a figurative and metaphorical significance in literary, philosophical, and cultural discourse, especially in the context of self-realization, self-reflection, and personal transformation. In essence, it represents a person's physical, psychological, or intellectual shift in perspective or attitude.