Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 14:18:12 +0000 From: "Murray K. Simpson" <m.k.simpson-AT-dundee.ac.uk> Subject: Re: intellectuals Doug Henwood wrote: > > Murray K. Simpson wrote: > > >Thus when he says above 'By what right would _he_ do so?' > >he is clearly attempting to resist an expectation being placed on > >himself. > > If an intellectual has spent his or her life studying birdsong or mapping > the migration pattern of salmon, there are no such expectations. But is it > wrong to expect that a student of the history and mechanics of political > and cultural power might have some advice to offer people involved in > practical struggles? I wonder if behind this stance of modesty there isn't > an arrogant detachment from the mob. > > Doug Well Doug, how nice of you to say so. I would say a couple of things to this. It seems to me that there is something between arrogant detachment and telling people what to do. I think practical assistance (more than just advice) can be given to people struggling against oppression. This seems to me to be precisely what Foucault is doing, in Discipline and Punish, for instance, is he not trying to make the activities of those involved in the penal system a bit more difficult by under-mining their cosy assumptions and knowledge? However, it seems to me that at the end of it all, or rather at the start, the commitment to resistance to oppression is something which comes before the study of history, politics, philosophy, rather than after it. I am sure there are people who's interest in Foucault or social theory has no political commitment. I do not believe I am one, but then don't we all? Best wishes Murray ================================ Murray K. Simpson, Department of Social Work, Frankland Building, The University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/SocialWork/mainpage.htm tel. 01382 344948 fax. 01382 221512 e.mail m.k.simpson-AT-dundee.ac.uk
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