A Foucault Primer: Discourse, Power and the Subject

by Alec McHoul, Wendy Grace

An essential introduction to the pre-eminent philosopher Michel Foucault

In such seminal works as Madness and Civilization, Discipline and Punish , and The History of Sexuality , the late philosopher Michel Foucault explored what our politics, our sexuality, our societal conventions, and our changing notions of truth told us about ourselves. In the process, Foucault garnered a reputation as one of the pre-eminent philosophers of the latter half of the twentieth century and has served as a primary influence on successive generations of philosophers and cultural critics.

With A Foucault Primer , Alec McHoul and Wendy Grace bring Foucault's work into focus for the uninitiated. Written in crisp and concise prose, A Foucault Primer explicates three central concepts of Foucauldian theory―discourse, power, and the subject―and suggests that Foucault’s work has much yet to contribute to contemporary debate.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theory, Academic, Social Science, Linguistics

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Conor Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the (complex) work of Foucault in a reasonable accessible and condensed format. I did find the lack of conclusion slightly odd in that the text just...sort of ends? And obviously the text is showing it’s age in engaging with criticism of Foucault. Overall, would recommend for a gentle introduction.

[Pakantji Oekoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is the best in retelling about the idea of Foucault's concept. We know that the idea that Foucault offers is not easy, but this book is very well in explaining about power, resistance, and discourse itself.

You may read this one to complete your understanding about Foucault.

[rüveyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

foucault ve discourse context'ini anlamak için giriş kitabı sayılabilir.

[Abraham Smitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ideas about how man is made into a subject through entire disciplines, differentiation, and beliefs about ones roles/attributes.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect introduction to the complex philosophy of Foucault and to the complex and unique mind of the man...Discourse, power and the subject. I like his quote "The main interest in life and work is to become something else that you were not in the beginning".

[Pakantji Oekoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is the best in retelling about the idea of Foucault's concept. We know that the idea that Foucault offers is not easy, but this book is very well in explaining about power, resistance, and discourse itself.

You may read this one to complete your understanding about Foucault.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Foucault's concepts of Discourse, including the dynamics of power relations and subject positions. It is by design, a surface level overview, but it seems that this is a useful read before wading into Foucault's own writing which can often be a hard slog.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the same class as the book on Lenin, neither were very informative.

[Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough read but stick it out if you intend to work in the constructivist field