Date: Mon, 6 Feb 1995 07:46:37 +1000 (+1000) From: John Ford <John.Ford-AT-jcu.edu.au> Subject: foucault and power Hi, first message. Have been enjoying F and power thread. Lets see if I can get this right. F. draws a distinction between power and domination. As I understand F power is the ability to construct subjects which in turn become the objects of certain form of knowledge and ways of speaking (truth) about that subject. In this respect truth become constraining - there are only certain acceptable ways of talking aboput particular subjects. This discourse is further reinforced by the construction of non-discursive structures which serve the communities of knowledge e.g. hospitals, banks, school, factories ..... Thus, power is not located in any individual - individuals are vehicles that carry the discourse of 'truth'. Power is therefore 'everywhere' - we take part in our own domination. Hence the panoptic metaphor - we become our own keeper measuring ourselves against knowledge and 'truth'. It is no accident that the most important piece of equipment ina gym or hairdressing shop is - the mirror. We measure ourselves and guage what we see in the reflection against the latest fashion trends - the latest discourse. Our body (in the example of the gym) must take on a specific shape. Am I on the right track? john ford ------------------
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