Criticisms of Foucault
- minimization of the law as it relates to power
- criticized for lack of rigour on genealogical approach
- writing is obscure and overly complex
- critique of universal and environmental values leads to moral relativism and pessimism.
- the idea that truth is contingent on knowledge-power relations is self defeating
- his refusal to provide a normative framework impedes the impetus for resistance.
Case Study: Chomsky-Foucault Debate
Chomsky:
- human nature is based on notions of justice and morality
- we should develop a future society based on the needs of human nature and real justice
Foucault
- human nature and justice are social constructs that are always products of power
- we should focus on exposing power relations before suggesting how to organize a future society.
Characteristics of Foucault
- focuses on becoming (social construct) rather than being (essence)
- doesnt give law a privilege position in his analysis
- law refers to instruments and techniques deployed, which have wider collective effects
- justice is in a constant state of becoming and has no universal essence.
Nietzschean Genealogical Approach
- nietzsche’s “god is dead” statement institutes a world view without universal foundations for authority
- a method of historical analysis that shows how knowledge concepts have developed over time and space in a much more complex, diverse and contested way
- exposes the role of power and its productive connection with knowledge
What is power knowledge?
How subjects interact to create social forms, law and given truths about social reality.
What is a regime of truth?
politics that differentiate between true and false statements, and authorize which techniques and procedures and people may enunciate the truth.
What is the goal of Foucault’s genealogical form of critical analysis?
Tries to separate out historical regimes of truth and discover the contingency that has made us what we are, do and think
How does Foucault view power?
As a tactic which shapes and manipulates relations between historically structured action of a subject.
Foucault: power analytic
- How power is exercised in a given context
- always connected to resistance and vice versa
- should not be seen solely in terms of the sovereign state.
Sovereign Power
punitive and extreme, punishes the body
Disciplinary Power
- shapes individual behaviour, through control and surveillance
Biopolitical Power
- indirect regulation, self government.
