>"I would gather that a traditional critique would be none
>other than what is the contribution - it seems to me
>that a lot of his work geared towards 'liberation' is largely just a
>critique of the established orthodoxy
>(the positivist tradition), granted, he does offer
>important insights towards understanding what is wrong
>with such a mode of thought....but well.....that's
>about it really...isn't it?"
Is it? I think it would be hard for a list dedicated to a particular
theorist not to be seen as a cult of personality. However, I think Foucault
opened up a discursive space large enough that merits discucussion, even (or
especially) debate on what he actually said.
>.....it seems to me reading some of the
>discussions here that Foucault's thought is perfect,
>that we should take every single observation of his
>and apply it wholeheartedly....comments like "Foucault
>is to be 'used'.....not read..."
Discussion on how Foucault is to be 'used' would indicate to me that his
theories do not simply function in the negative. If we are talking about
'using' Foucault, there has to be a constructive aspect to his work. Indeed,
the difference between positive and negative power seems to be a key strand
in his work.
>From: Mohamed Gad <mohgad@xxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: A 'cult' of Foucault?
>Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 07:20:51 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
>Hi all,
>
>I do not wish to be dismissive of the high quality of
>your discussion and the importance of Foucault's
>work....but recently, I have the feeling that this
>list has been a bit developing a 'cult' of
>Foucault.....it seems to me reading some of the
>discussions here that Foucault's thought is perfect,
>that we should take every single observation of his
>and apply it wholeheartedly....comments like "Foucault
>is to be 'used'.....not read..." (I am slightly
>paraphrasing here), etc. This I believe is totally
>anathema to his tradition. I would actually think the
>poor guy would be turning in his grave if he read some
>of that stuff....(well...would satisfy his ego I am
>sure...and I do understand he had quite a lot of
>that?!?)
>
>Now, for me, part of understanding a
>philosopher/social theorist is to delve into a
>critique of his work - rather than praise alone and
>discussions of how to apply his method. As such, and
>given Foucault's critical tradition of thought.....I
>would gather that a traditional critique would be none
>other than what is the contribution - it seems to me
>that a lot of his work geared towards 'liberation' is
>largely just a critique of the established orthodoxy
>(the positivist tradition), granted, he does offer
>important insights towards understanding what is wrong
>with such a mode of thought....but well.....that's
>about it really...isn't it? It's a lot easier to
>destroy than it is to build - if I may put it in a
>primitive way! Notice how most of his work is being
>used in other disciplines to challenge the respective
>disciplines' orthodoxy - a fine effort
>nonetheless...don't get me wrong - but then
>what.....fine we challenged and undermined the
>orthodox arguments...then what...it seems to me
>Foucault would abandon us there.....not willing to go
>all the way....
>
>It would be good to hear your opinions and other
>criticisms of Foucault's work - if there are any in
>the list?
>
>Thank you, and particularly for your very rich
>discussions.
>Regards,
>Mohamed
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs
>http://www.hotjobs.com
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
>other than what is the contribution - it seems to me
>that a lot of his work geared towards 'liberation' is largely just a
>critique of the established orthodoxy
>(the positivist tradition), granted, he does offer
>important insights towards understanding what is wrong
>with such a mode of thought....but well.....that's
>about it really...isn't it?"
Is it? I think it would be hard for a list dedicated to a particular
theorist not to be seen as a cult of personality. However, I think Foucault
opened up a discursive space large enough that merits discucussion, even (or
especially) debate on what he actually said.
>.....it seems to me reading some of the
>discussions here that Foucault's thought is perfect,
>that we should take every single observation of his
>and apply it wholeheartedly....comments like "Foucault
>is to be 'used'.....not read..."
Discussion on how Foucault is to be 'used' would indicate to me that his
theories do not simply function in the negative. If we are talking about
'using' Foucault, there has to be a constructive aspect to his work. Indeed,
the difference between positive and negative power seems to be a key strand
in his work.
>From: Mohamed Gad <mohgad@xxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: foucault@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: A 'cult' of Foucault?
>Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 07:20:51 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
>Hi all,
>
>I do not wish to be dismissive of the high quality of
>your discussion and the importance of Foucault's
>work....but recently, I have the feeling that this
>list has been a bit developing a 'cult' of
>Foucault.....it seems to me reading some of the
>discussions here that Foucault's thought is perfect,
>that we should take every single observation of his
>and apply it wholeheartedly....comments like "Foucault
>is to be 'used'.....not read..." (I am slightly
>paraphrasing here), etc. This I believe is totally
>anathema to his tradition. I would actually think the
>poor guy would be turning in his grave if he read some
>of that stuff....(well...would satisfy his ego I am
>sure...and I do understand he had quite a lot of
>that?!?)
>
>Now, for me, part of understanding a
>philosopher/social theorist is to delve into a
>critique of his work - rather than praise alone and
>discussions of how to apply his method. As such, and
>given Foucault's critical tradition of thought.....I
>would gather that a traditional critique would be none
>other than what is the contribution - it seems to me
>that a lot of his work geared towards 'liberation' is
>largely just a critique of the established orthodoxy
>(the positivist tradition), granted, he does offer
>important insights towards understanding what is wrong
>with such a mode of thought....but well.....that's
>about it really...isn't it? It's a lot easier to
>destroy than it is to build - if I may put it in a
>primitive way! Notice how most of his work is being
>used in other disciplines to challenge the respective
>disciplines' orthodoxy - a fine effort
>nonetheless...don't get me wrong - but then
>what.....fine we challenged and undermined the
>orthodox arguments...then what...it seems to me
>Foucault would abandon us there.....not willing to go
>all the way....
>
>It would be good to hear your opinions and other
>criticisms of Foucault's work - if there are any in
>the list?
>
>Thank you, and particularly for your very rich
>discussions.
>Regards,
>Mohamed
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs
>http://www.hotjobs.com
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx