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Dear Ali,
I understand Foucaultian power and strategy to refer to the shaping of
the possibilities, options, openings and closures in the our spaces of
action. Who and/or what does the shaping is never entirely clear in
Foucault's writings and probably cannot be fully traced since every
social relationship will contain an element of power and contribute to
the shaping of our spaces of possible action (whether in deed or in
word). In that sense I guess there is something 'secret' about it. I
would not call this perspective 'dangerous', rather it keeps us alert,
reminds us never to take anything for granted, never to believe we know
the answer and understand it all. It urges us to keep asking, and that,
in my view, is not 'dangerous' except perhaps for those who benefit from
the way things are at the moment.
I have nothing to offer on the "reasons of hygiene". I look forward to
hearing what others may have to offer.
Best regards, Jesper.
Ali Rizvi wrote:
>
> Hi list,
>
> I am wrestling with two short quotes from Veyne in order to understand
> what it exactly means to say that Foucault was a strategic thinker [not
> every body would agree]. I am posting the two quotes below [wtih brief
> connecting comments] to see what others have to say about the ideas
> expressed therein. [Paul Veyne, was Foucaults colleague and very close
> friend and one of his most perceptive commentators].
>
> Paul Veyne describes the aim of the Foucauldian type of philosophy as to
> make a diagnosis of present possibilities and to draw up a strategic
> map-with the secret hope of influencing the choice of combats (Veyne 1997
> p. 230). What are these combats,
> and which kinds of choices are involved? and why the hope is secret?? Some
> would say that, this strategic philosophy with the secret hope of
> influencing choice of combats is overtly dangerous philosophy because it is
> secretive, and subtle, because it takes long detours which makes it hard to
> easily grasp the direction towards which it is heading.
>
> Again concerning Foucault's method Veyne writes that Foucault preferred to
> preach by example, to exemplify his method in history books rather than
> setting it out. This was done for strategic reasons (to avoid words which
> might shock, since the thing is not shocking, because people are already
> living out the death of truth without knowing it); but it was done also for
> reasons of hygiene: he preferred not to subject the idea of finitude to too
> much scrutiny, for it is made rather to live out (Veyne 1992 p. 342). what
> is the meaning of the pharse "for reasons of hygiene" in this context?
>
> I have used these fragments in different contexts before but would like to
> delve more deep. I would like to know what others think on the issue in
> gneneral, or any particualr issue involved in it or related to it.
>
> Betst regards
> ali
>
> References:
>
> Paul Veyne (1992) Foucault and going beyond (or the fulfilment of)
> nihilism in Armstrong ed. (1992).Michel Foucault Philosopher trans. Timothy
> J. Armstrong (Hemel Hempstead, Harvester Wheatsheaf).
>
> Paul Veyne (1997) The Final Foucault and his Ethics in Davidson ed.
> (1997).Foucault and his interlocutors (London, Chicago University Press).
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
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Dear Ali,
I understand Foucaultian power and strategy to refer to the shaping of
the possibilities, options, openings and closures in the our spaces of
action. Who and/or what does the shaping is never entirely clear in
Foucault's writings and probably cannot be fully traced since every
social relationship will contain an element of power and contribute to
the shaping of our spaces of possible action (whether in deed or in
word). In that sense I guess there is something 'secret' about it. I
would not call this perspective 'dangerous', rather it keeps us alert,
reminds us never to take anything for granted, never to believe we know
the answer and understand it all. It urges us to keep asking, and that,
in my view, is not 'dangerous' except perhaps for those who benefit from
the way things are at the moment.
I have nothing to offer on the "reasons of hygiene". I look forward to
hearing what others may have to offer.
Best regards, Jesper.
Ali Rizvi wrote:
>
> Hi list,
>
> I am wrestling with two short quotes from Veyne in order to understand
> what it exactly means to say that Foucault was a strategic thinker [not
> every body would agree]. I am posting the two quotes below [wtih brief
> connecting comments] to see what others have to say about the ideas
> expressed therein. [Paul Veyne, was Foucaults colleague and very close
> friend and one of his most perceptive commentators].
>
> Paul Veyne describes the aim of the Foucauldian type of philosophy as to
> make a diagnosis of present possibilities and to draw up a strategic
> map-with the secret hope of influencing the choice of combats (Veyne 1997
> p. 230). What are these combats,
> and which kinds of choices are involved? and why the hope is secret?? Some
> would say that, this strategic philosophy with the secret hope of
> influencing choice of combats is overtly dangerous philosophy because it is
> secretive, and subtle, because it takes long detours which makes it hard to
> easily grasp the direction towards which it is heading.
>
> Again concerning Foucault's method Veyne writes that Foucault preferred to
> preach by example, to exemplify his method in history books rather than
> setting it out. This was done for strategic reasons (to avoid words which
> might shock, since the thing is not shocking, because people are already
> living out the death of truth without knowing it); but it was done also for
> reasons of hygiene: he preferred not to subject the idea of finitude to too
> much scrutiny, for it is made rather to live out (Veyne 1992 p. 342). what
> is the meaning of the pharse "for reasons of hygiene" in this context?
>
> I have used these fragments in different contexts before but would like to
> delve more deep. I would like to know what others think on the issue in
> gneneral, or any particualr issue involved in it or related to it.
>
> Betst regards
> ali
>
> References:
>
> Paul Veyne (1992) Foucault and going beyond (or the fulfilment of)
> nihilism in Armstrong ed. (1992).Michel Foucault Philosopher trans. Timothy
> J. Armstrong (Hemel Hempstead, Harvester Wheatsheaf).
>
> Paul Veyne (1997) The Final Foucault and his Ethics in Davidson ed.
> (1997).Foucault and his interlocutors (London, Chicago University Press).
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
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