In Article <510BA44A1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
k.j.mcphail@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> trivialise Foucaults and Derrias fictions. It is very difficult to
> tell someone who has witnessed the 'reality' of genocide that 'world
> itself is nothing other than art', and that 'there is no true world.'
> Is Foucault really working at such a superficial level? What is the
> scope and context of Foucaults work?
Since I am sure that this query will probably produce a great deal
of replies, I wish only to point you in an interesting direction.
Quite coincidentally, I was recently directed by another member of
the group to the volume, Michel Foucault, Philosophe, and--just last
night--happened to be reading the essay by James Bernauer, entitled
(quite relevantly) "Beyond Life and Death. On Foucault's
post-Aushwitz ethic". I don't know that I agree with Bernauer on
many of his points, but a quick read of this essay and its
rejoinders reminds us of what someone (Frank Lettrichia or
Jameson(sic!), I think) said elsewhere of Foucault---that it is
impossible to miss the white hot rage in his texts. Nor, from a
reading of the David Macey bio, the white hot rage in his lived
experience. Suggest you have a look at the essay.
I think I detect such rage in Derrida too....although, admittedly,
maybe not so much in some of his acolytes.
Yours,
Walt
k.j.mcphail@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> trivialise Foucaults and Derrias fictions. It is very difficult to
> tell someone who has witnessed the 'reality' of genocide that 'world
> itself is nothing other than art', and that 'there is no true world.'
> Is Foucault really working at such a superficial level? What is the
> scope and context of Foucaults work?
Since I am sure that this query will probably produce a great deal
of replies, I wish only to point you in an interesting direction.
Quite coincidentally, I was recently directed by another member of
the group to the volume, Michel Foucault, Philosophe, and--just last
night--happened to be reading the essay by James Bernauer, entitled
(quite relevantly) "Beyond Life and Death. On Foucault's
post-Aushwitz ethic". I don't know that I agree with Bernauer on
many of his points, but a quick read of this essay and its
rejoinders reminds us of what someone (Frank Lettrichia or
Jameson(sic!), I think) said elsewhere of Foucault---that it is
impossible to miss the white hot rage in his texts. Nor, from a
reading of the David Macey bio, the white hot rage in his lived
experience. Suggest you have a look at the essay.
I think I detect such rage in Derrida too....although, admittedly,
maybe not so much in some of his acolytes.
Yours,
Walt