Michel Foucault - Thought

Thought

"The theme that underlies all Foucault's work is the relationship between power and knowledge, and how the former is used to control and define the latter. What authorities claim as 'scientific knowledge' are really just means of social control. Foucault shows how, for instance, in the eighteenth century 'madness' was used to categorize and stigmatise not just the mentally ill but the poor, the sick, the homeless and, indeed, anyone whose expressions of individuality were unwelcome."

Philip Stokes, Philosophy: 100 Essential Thinkers, 2004.

Philosopher Philip Stokes of the University of Reading noted that overall, Foucault's work was "dark and pessimistic", but that it did leave some room for optimism, in that it illustrates how the discipline of philosophy can be used to highlight areas of domination. In doing so, Stokes claimed, we are able to understand how we are being dominated and strive to build social structures that minimize this risk of domination.

Read more about this topic:  Michel Foucault

Famous quotes containing the word thought:

    Have you ever had a single moment’s thought about my responsibilities?
    Stanley Kubrick (b. 1928)

    Ugarte: You despise me, don’t you?
    Rick: Well, if I gave you any thought I probably would.
    Julius J. Epstein (1909–1952)

    I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others. Whenever [I] hear anyone, arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)