History of Sexuality, Foucault-an Overview
The History of Sexuality
Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1
Michel Foucault, 1976
About Foucault
Michel Foucault (1926-1984) is one of the prominent sociologists in the contemporary world. He held a chair at the prestigious Collège de France with the title "History of Systems of Thought," and also taught at the University at Buffalo and the University of California, Berkeley.
Some of Foucault’s major contributions have been in the area of power and knowledge. He wrote frequently for French newspapers and reviews. Among his major publications are Madness and Civilization (1961); The Archaeology of Knowledge (1972); The Birth of the Clinic (1973); and three volumes of The History of Sexuality (1976, 1984). Some of Foucault’s works were published after his death in 1984.
The History of Sexuality- Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1
Overview
In his book The History of Sexuality, Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1, Foucault refutes the widely accepted notion that before the 17th century sexuality was more open and naturally expressed. The code of conduct regarding the obscene, illicit and indecent was not so rigid. However, post 17th century with the rise of the bourgeoisie especially in the Victorian era, sexuality is constrained and repressed. Even at the level of speech censorship became the norm when talking about sex itself in the bourgeois society.
Foucault’s interpretation of history however disputes this narrative and claims otherwise. Through the course of the book he shows that instead of being repressed the discourse on sexuality has been “subjected to a mechanism of increased incitement” (pg 12). Moreover, Foucault’s main concern in this book is to understand that how did sexuality come to be a discourse, and object of discussion, a kind of knowledge and the power we find in that knowledge.
Methodology
Foucault is influenced by Nietzsche’s understanding of genealogy and origin. By origin Nietzsche means something that has a fixed starting point from which
Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1
Michel Foucault, 1976
About Foucault
Michel Foucault (1926-1984) is one of the prominent sociologists in the contemporary world. He held a chair at the prestigious Collège de France with the title "History of Systems of Thought," and also taught at the University at Buffalo and the University of California, Berkeley.
Some of Foucault’s major contributions have been in the area of power and knowledge. He wrote frequently for French newspapers and reviews. Among his major publications are Madness and Civilization (1961); The Archaeology of Knowledge (1972); The Birth of the Clinic (1973); and three volumes of The History of Sexuality (1976, 1984). Some of Foucault’s works were published after his death in 1984.
The History of Sexuality- Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1
Overview
In his book The History of Sexuality, Will of Knowledge, Vol. 1, Foucault refutes the widely accepted notion that before the 17th century sexuality was more open and naturally expressed. The code of conduct regarding the obscene, illicit and indecent was not so rigid. However, post 17th century with the rise of the bourgeoisie especially in the Victorian era, sexuality is constrained and repressed. Even at the level of speech censorship became the norm when talking about sex itself in the bourgeois society.
Foucault’s interpretation of history however disputes this narrative and claims otherwise. Through the course of the book he shows that instead of being repressed the discourse on sexuality has been “subjected to a mechanism of increased incitement” (pg 12). Moreover, Foucault’s main concern in this book is to understand that how did sexuality come to be a discourse, and object of discussion, a kind of knowledge and the power we find in that knowledge.
Methodology
Foucault is influenced by Nietzsche’s understanding of genealogy and origin. By origin Nietzsche means something that has a fixed starting point from which