Michel Foucault

French historian, social theorist, philosopher and public intellectual Michel Foucault is remembered for his means of using historical research to elucidate the changes in discourse over time and the ever growing links between discourse, knowledge, institutions, and power. Born October 15th, 1926 in Poitiers, France, Michel Foucault was the second of three children in a middle-class family. His father, Paul Foucault, was an esteemed local surgeon. Both of Foucault's grandfathers were also…

(c) Explain Foucault 's view on "the repressive hypothesis". Discuss whether he believes there is, or has been, repression, what he wants to investigate, and the formation of sexual subjects. Provide examples. Over the years, the society has come across various views of sexuality. The views on sexuality has moved from a period of being freely expressive and open about our sex and sexuality to a period of repression and hypocrisy of such expressions. The repressive views were seen to arise in…

that normalization creates unwarranted notions of human identity and happiness. To do this, I begin by providing background information on the work by Michel Foucault on biopower, disciplinary power, and normalization. The purpose of this section is to show first that these…

Heather Slawny Ashley Bohrer PHL 233 May 15 2015 Michel Foucault’s Eurocentric Patriarchy Michel Foucault’s The History of Sexuality analyzes how gender, sexuality, and power are perceived jointly. He accomplishes this specifically by considering the “repressive hypothesis” and “bio-power.” The repressive hypothesis is the theory that society has been constructed in a way that makes topics like sex and sexuality taboo, unless this discourse is masked in a euphemized, strictly reproductive manner…

Panopticism: a social theory initially developed by French philosopher Michel Foucault in his book, Discipline and Punish. The intention of the prison design was to sanction all inmates in isolation, and permanent observation. A single guard from an elevated tower would hawk eye the prison cells for any suspicious activity throughout the entirety of the day. “Each individual in his/her place, is securely confined to a cell which he is seen from the front by the supervisor. He is seen, but does…

to characterize are Herbert Marcuse and Michel Foucault. First, I am going to start with Michel Foucault. Foucault is widely known for shaping the understanding of power. According to Foucault, power is what shapes us as humans. “Foucault uses the term ‘power/knowledge’ to signify that power is constituted through accepted forms of knowledge, scientific understanding and ‘truth’” (PowerCube.) Foucault states that power and knowledge go hand in hand. Foucault is one of the few who takes into…

Unit 5 Assignment/Question 2 French philosopher Michel Foucault, whose primary field of inquiry was that of power systems working to control and monitor individuals, was massively interested in the process of punishment and how it evolved over time on the basis of power play in the society. This essay seeks to explore Foucault’s examination of the history of punishment, the changes that the penal system went through, the advantages and disadvantages that came with these changes and how…

fact the gaze is internalized. The Panopticon is an intimidating power, the kind which makes people govern themselves in different ways, and stresses the idea that one is constantly being judged, and observed. In Discipline and Punish (1995) Michel Foucault describes discipline as “the specific technique of power”. (P.188,MOCT) In a high school setting, there are disciplinary systems that take place which aims to create the most ideal learning environment so students do not undermine their…

to regret her actions. Michel Foucault, a French philosopher was big on…

Panopticism by Michel Foucault states that with the use of architecture and geometry, a ‘Panopticon’ can create in visitors a sense of being watched, making a change to the behavior of an individual subject to observation and leading him to act in a disciplined manner. Bentham’s ‘Panopticon’ is the architectural model of this theory. His ‘Panopticon’ is based on an annular building at the periphery containing cell divisions, with a central tower at the center with two windows that make it able…