Foucault, Power and Freedom

• Main Authors: Chen Shu-Hong, 陳數紅
• Other Authors: Su Zi-Zhong
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/16800921039188167738

碩士 === 國立暨南國際大學 === 外國語文學系 === 93 === Title of Thesis: Foucault, Power and Freedom Name of Institute: Foreign Languages and Literature Department In the school of National Chi Nan University Pages: 91 Graduation Time: 07/2005 Degree Conferred: Master Student Name: Chen Shu-Hong Advisor Name: Su Zi-Zhong Abstract: In this thesis, I aim at a very basic question with regard to Foucault’s notion of power: how can one possess freedom when power “makes” the individual? The answer is to be found in Foucault’s idea of “angonism” in his article, “The Subject and Power”. Examining his concept of power, I argue that Foucault subverts our imbedded thoughts about power by interpreting the notions of the subject and freedom in a revolutionary way, which undermines the faith that human beings are absolute. For Foucault, the subject is not an agent that holds power, but is a structure of actions. Freedom is not what we think as freedom from or for something, but rather, it demonstrates the struggles of individuals, the self-transformation, and the self-determination. His presentation of power also highlights the problematic of the individual freedom. Chapter I portrays an overview of Foucauldian power. I find a problem with his idea of freedom. We are social beings and act according to social rules. What is the limitation of the individual freedom when conflicts arise between the individual and the society? Chapter II looks more deeply at his interpretation of the dualism of the subject and tackles the contradictions of freedom. I also make several observations in Foucault’s writing strategies that make the issues of the subject and freedom vague but very original. Chapter III uses Foucault’s documented case, Pierre Rivière, to highlight the conflict of freedom between the individual and a whole social body. How to make a balance between individuals and a whole society depends on the exercise of our reason. Agonism demonstrates the process we use our reason. I interpret Foucault’s idea of Agonism as the struggles between the determined-self and self-determination, and show that the idea of Agonism is able to give an account for how the subject is able to have freedom in a disciplinary society. The struggles of individuals can change something in people’s head and create a space of possibility for shifting social order.