Foucault Explained Simply

Understanding Foucault's "Subject and Power"

Introduction to Foucault's Work

• Michelle Foucault is recognized as a pivotal thinker of the 20th century, with his works being essential in academic settings.

• Despite his focus on power, Foucault clarifies that the subject of his research is not power itself but rather the concept of the subject.

The Concept of Subject

• A "subject" refers to individuals who act and perceive within society, distinguishing them from objects.

• Foucault emphasizes that while we are biologically human, our understanding and behavior as subjects are shaped by societal influences.

Modes of Becoming a Subject

• Human beings learn how to be subjects through various institutions like schools and media, which instruct us on behavior and perception.

• Foucault’s project focuses on these disciplines that shape our identities and roles in society.

Understanding Power Beyond Traditional Views

• While power shapes us, traditional theories often limit discussions to politics or economics; however, power manifests in diverse forms beyond government control.

• Institutions such as churches and media also exert influence over individuals' lives.

Analyzing Power Through Specific Sites

• To comprehend power effectively, Foucault suggests examining specific sites where power dynamics are evident.

• He identifies three types of struggles related to power: against domination, exploitation, and subjection.

Types of Struggles Identified by Foucault

Struggle Against Domination

• This involves conflicts between social or ethnic groups vying for control over one another.

Struggle Against Exploitation

• Class conflict arises here between wealthy exploiters and working-class individuals resisting through collective action.

Struggle Against Subjection

• This struggle focuses on how individuals are pressured into adopting certain identities or roles within society.

Complexity of Subjection

• Unlike domination or exploitation—which can be more straightforward—subjection represents a nuanced form of pressure influencing identity formation.

Definition of Power According to Foucault

• Later in the essay, Foucault posits that power does not exist as a tangible entity; instead, it should be understood through its manifestations across different contexts.

Understanding Foucault's Concept of Power

The Nature of Power

• Foucault argues that power is possessed by the people and exists within collective action, emphasizing that power relations are observable only through interactions among multiple subjects.

• He defines power as actions that modify other actions, highlighting that societies consist of countless power relations where subjects act to influence one another.

Critique of Foucault's Perspective

• A critique suggests that while Foucault advises against focusing solely on institutions, he still spends considerable time discussing them, potentially undermining his argument about social networks.

• Critics argue that despite his focus on immediate impacts, Foucault may not fully divert attention from institutional power dynamics.

Perceptions of Power in Society

• Despite the provocative nature of Foucault's ideas about fluid power, many feel that power is often concentrated and calcified within specific groups or institutions.

• The experience for most individuals is that certain entities wield significant control over their lives rather than a diffuse distribution of power.

Collective Action and Its Implications

• There’s an acknowledgment that collective action can yield substantial results; history shows when people unite, they can exert considerable influence and achieve their goals.

• This raises questions about whether collective power is a permanent resource available to individuals seeking change.

Foucault's Response to Criticism

• In response to critiques regarding the understanding of power, Foucault suggests focusing on how it operates rather than making grand claims prematurely.

• His work serves as a pathway toward deeper inquiries into the nature of power, exemplified by concepts like the panopticon which illustrates his views effectively.