File spoon-archives/foucault.archive/foucault_2004/foucault.0404, message 1


From: ColinNGordon-AT-aol.com
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 01:28:35 EST
Subject: Re: Human rights


In a message dated 31/03/04 22:02:19 GMT Daylight Time, 
ari-AT-copernic.fsnet.co.uk writes:

> I don't see this as that far from Foucault's take on the law and 
> sovereignty. do
> you remember his debate with Chomsky?



I thought this text might be mentioned. It dates from a time in 1971-2 when 
Foucault's views were a good deal closer to those of Deleuze and some of the 
far left than they later became. For example: in Power p 438 there is a 
sympathetic reference to 'those who fight for human rights' (1978) and (re Iran) 
'Against power one must always set inviolable laws and unrestricted rights' (p 
453, 1979). And, up to the text on the boat people in 84, which does not merit 
to be set aside as 'predictable', he develops his own idea of the rights of the 
governed, as a right (and duty) to *exercise* solidarity. In short, if 
Foucault does not endorse or propose a particular doctrine of human rights, he shows 
no appetite for sarcastic denunciation (as became popular in France during 
the Carter presidency) of all those whose use such a concept. He continues to 
question views of power as primarily juridical in its basis and operation but 
that does not lead him to take the view that all resistance in the name of 
rights is misconceived. Foucault's views was formed by involvements in a number of 
specific causes, some perhaps (dare one say it, in all respect of Deleuze's 
philosophical greatness) more serious than the question of non-smoking taxis in 
Paris.

Colin


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