Foucault, critique, and the emergence of a postmodern technology of the self
This dissertation is, first, an examination of the coherence and consistency of Michel Foucaultâs work with respect to its development and an examination of his ethos, a product of conscious self-construction. Second, this work is an exploration of ethical techniques. The goal of the dissertation is to discover an ethos that takes into account the best contemporary critical attitudes and techniques of ethical selfconstruction. The first chapter begins with a discussion of the development of Foucaultâs archaeological method. Discussion of some problems with structuralism, his genealogical method, and finally his movement towards an ethical program follows. The method for the dissertation will be exploratory and critical. The second chapter develops a line of thinking about the development of freedom in Kant and Foucault. Power relations are a persistent context in which selfconstruction takes place. Resistance to power relations marks the beginning of freedom, which requires testing and moving beyond the limits of socially constructed selves. The Quakers display a model of structured resistance to enclosing authorities. John Woolman provides an example of ethical self-construction. The third chapter explores
Olena, Douglas
B Philosophy (General)
Foucault, critique, and the emergence of a postmodern technology of the self. This dissertation is, first, an examination of the coherence and consistency of Michel Foucaultâs work with respect to its development and an examination of his ethos, a product of conscious self-construction. Second, this work is an exploration of ethical techniques. The goal of the dissertation is to discover an ethos that takes into account the best contemporary critical attitudes and techniques of ethical selfconstruction. The first chapter begins with a discussion of the development of Foucaultâs archaeological method. Discussion of some problems with structuralism, his genealogical method, and finally his movement towards an ethical program follows. The method for the dissertation will be exploratory and critical. The second chapter develops a line of thinking about the development of freedom in Kant and Foucault. Power relations are a persistent context in which selfconstruction takes place. Resistance to power relations marks the beginning of freedom, which requires testing and moving beyond the limits of socially constructed selves. The Quakers display a model of structured resistance to enclosing authorities. John Woolman provides an example of ethical self-construction. The third chapter explores
foucault critique emergence postmodern technology self first examination coherence consistency michel_foucault work respect development examination ethos product conscious self construction second work exploration ethical technique goal discover ethos take_account best contemporary_critical attitude technique ethical first begin_discussion development foucault archaeological method discussion problem structuralism genealogical method finally movement_towards ethical program follow method exploratory critical second develop line_think development freedom kant foucault power_relation persistent context take_place resistance power_relation mark_begin freedom require test move_beyond limit socially_construct self quakers display model structure resistance enclose authority john provide_example ethical self construction third explores