Between Genealogy and Epistemology

Psychology, Politics, and Knowledge in the Thought of Michel Foucault

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology, Modern, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Between Genealogy and Epistemology by Todd May, Penn State University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Todd May ISBN: 9780271038902
Publisher: Penn State University Press Publication: April 16, 1993
Imprint: Penn State University Press Language: English
Author: Todd May
ISBN: 9780271038902
Publisher: Penn State University Press
Publication: April 16, 1993
Imprint: Penn State University Press
Language: English

Michel Foucault introduced a new form of political thinking and discourse. Rather than seeking to understand the grand unities of state, economy, or exploitation, he tried to discover the micropolitical workings of everyday life that have often founded the greater unities. He was particularly concerned with how we understand ourselves psychologically, and thus with how psychological knowledge developed and came to be accepted as true. In the course of his writings, he developed a genealogy of psychology, an account of psychology as a historically developed practice of power.

The problem such an account raises for much of traditional philosophy is that Foucault's critique of psychological concepts is ultimately a critique of the idea of the mind as a politically neutral ontological concept. As such, it renders politically suspect all forms of subjective foundationalism, and the epistemological justification for Foucault's own writings is then called into question. Drawing on the writings of such Anglo-American philosophers as Wilfrid Sellars and Ludwig Wittgenstein, Todd May refutes the idea that Foucault's critiques of knowledge, and especially psychological knowledge, undermine themselves.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Michel Foucault introduced a new form of political thinking and discourse. Rather than seeking to understand the grand unities of state, economy, or exploitation, he tried to discover the micropolitical workings of everyday life that have often founded the greater unities. He was particularly concerned with how we understand ourselves psychologically, and thus with how psychological knowledge developed and came to be accepted as true. In the course of his writings, he developed a genealogy of psychology, an account of psychology as a historically developed practice of power.

The problem such an account raises for much of traditional philosophy is that Foucault's critique of psychological concepts is ultimately a critique of the idea of the mind as a politically neutral ontological concept. As such, it renders politically suspect all forms of subjective foundationalism, and the epistemological justification for Foucault's own writings is then called into question. Drawing on the writings of such Anglo-American philosophers as Wilfrid Sellars and Ludwig Wittgenstein, Todd May refutes the idea that Foucault's critiques of knowledge, and especially psychological knowledge, undermine themselves.

More books from Penn State University Press

Cover of the book The Arras Witch Treatises by Todd May
Cover of the book The Spiritual Vision of Frank Buchman by Todd May
Cover of the book Structure in Milton's Poetry by Todd May
Cover of the book Post-transitional Justice by Todd May
Cover of the book Study in Black and White by Todd May
Cover of the book All About Process by Todd May
Cover of the book Emancipation and Illusion by Todd May
Cover of the book Cultural Imperialism and the Indo-English Novel by Todd May
Cover of the book Poetic Remaking by Todd May
Cover of the book A Companion to Michael Oakeshott by Todd May
Cover of the book Medieval Studies and the Ghost Stories of M. R. James by Todd May
Cover of the book A Spiritual Home by Todd May
Cover of the book From Windfall to Curse? by Todd May
Cover of the book The Seductions of Darwin by Todd May
Cover of the book From Memory to Memorial by Todd May
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy