Table of Contents
What is the meaning of power knowledge?
Foucault’s theories from the sixties and seventies addressed the relationship between power and knowledge. He used the term ‘power/knowledge’ to signify that power is established through accepted forms of knowledge, scientific understanding and ‘truth’.
What is the link that Foucault draws between knowledge and power?
Foucault’s theory states that knowledge is power: Knowledge linked to power, not only assumes the authority of ‘the truth’ but has the power to make itself true. All knowledge, once applied in the real world, has effects, and in that sense at least, ‘becomes true.
What are the two main types of power according to Foucault?
As modes of power in democracies, Foucault explicitly identified:
- Sovereign power.
- Disciplinary power.
- Pastoral power.
- Bio-power.
When did Foucault write power knowledge?
1972
Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews & Other Writings, 1972–1977 by Michael Foucault.
What is Foucault theory?
Foucault’s theories primarily address the relationship between power and knowledge, and how they are used as a form of social control through societal institutions. These first three histories exemplified a historiographical technique Foucault was developing called “archaeology.”
What does Foucault say?
Foucault emphasizes that power is not discipline, rather discipline is simply one way in which power can be exercised. He also uses the term ‘disciplinary society’, discussing its history and the origins and disciplinary institutions such as prisons, hospitals, asylums, schools and army barracks.
How is power exercised Foucault?
Power always entails a set of actions performed upon another persons actions and reactions. The turn to this concept of “government” allowed Foucault to include a new element to his understanding of power: freedom. “Power is exercised only over free subjects, and only insofar as they are free” (221), Foucault explains.
What is bio power Foucault?
Foucault’s concept of biopower describes the administration and regulation of human life at the level of the population and the individual body – it is a form of power that targets the population (Rogers et al 2013).
What is Foucault known for?
Foucault was known for tracing the development of Western civilization, particularly in its attitudes towards sexuality, madness, illness, and knowledge. His late works insisted that forms of discourse and institutional practices are implicated in the exercise of power.
How does Foucault define power?
Foucault, Power and Knowledge. Foucault’s definition of power is simple enough: power is a power struggle. Note that the term “force” here is not written in the singular. Indeed, for Foucault the balance of power is combined always in the plural.
What does Foucault mean by power?
According to Foucault’s understanding of power, power is based on knowledge and makes use of knowledge; on the other hand, power reproduces knowledge by shaping it in accordance with its anonymous intentions. Power (re-) creates its own fields of exercise through knowledge.
What does Foucault say on discourse and power?
Foucault also exclaims “Discourse is about the production of knowledge through language”. From here the article shifts into the discussion about knowledge and power. Of course everyone has heard of the phrase “knowledge is power.” But Foucault continues by breaking down this quote.
What is the summary of Foucault’s power theory?
For Foucault, power is ultimately linked with knowledge; they exist because of one another. Therefore, the State’s power then extends from the development of new types of Knowledge. With the emergence of these, society is able to collect more information about the population and thus control it better.