I believe that Foucault endeavors to deconstruct (ah, yes, we may shudder
at the word) the whole notion of subject/object not to mention a number of
other dichotomies we believe are mutually exculsive. The "docile body"
idea is crucial. For Foucault, I believe that he thinks that as theorists
we are both within and without, subject and object. The whole notion of
"power" is not simply domination for in order for "power" to exist, there
must be resistance. Power is also suppose to be productive and we are
suppose to get something from it - it is not simply mere destructive
forces. Learning about the Man in the system, yes, through subjugation.
However, Foucault endeavors to unravel the system as well.
These are merely the random thoughts of someone who has been struggling
with Foucault. I hope they provide some insight for you.
Regards,
Clara Ho
The University of Calgary
On Tue, 3 Dec 1996 Pushkara@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> Help!
> I am giving a colloquium to finish up my BA in May. One of the books of
> my focus is Foucault's Discipline and Punish. My focus is on Foucault's use
> of the science of subjugation by learning all that can be learned about man
> by incarcerating him and observing him as a captive in the penal system. Do
> I have the correct slant on this?
>