From: PhilSin-AT-aol.com
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 08:45:45 EDT
Subject: Re: Heidegger and Foucault


In a message dated 8/21/98 4:03:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Stuart.Elden-AT-clara.co.uk writes:

<< I also wouldn't agree that Foucault 'bounces off
 Heidegger' (taken in the dismissive tone intended) and what does it mean to
 say 'I'll assure you his philosophy (if you can call it that) is his very
 own'? >>

      Stuart,
     Thank you for your thoughtful response. I just wanted to clarify that
there is nothing derogatory in the use of the term bounce off. I was only
trying to convey my impression that most post-Heidegerrians do not seem to
take up his later themes of Denken, Gallesenheit, the fourfold etc. as
starting points to further develop Heiegger's philosophy. Rather (and I think
this is good) they profit from Heideger's opening up the clearing of
historical situatedness, throwness, an alternative to analytic philosophy and
Cartesianism etc. and then go off in their directions. Derrida also has the
same sort of gratitude to Heidegger that Foucault expresed.
     I'm not totally sure what I mean by Foucaults philosophy being totally
his own. Except to try to convey my impression of the uniquesness of his
historical perspective and his movement from anthropology to geneology to
subjectivity in his work. I have profited from my limited encounters with
Foucault, especially in his treatment of the relationship of power and
knowledge.

        yours,

     Phil S. 


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