T 4/9 Interview – “The Ethics of the Concern of the Self as a Practice of Freedom”

Topics: Subjectivization and freedom

1. The interviewer pushes Foucault to acknowledge that there has been a significant shift in his thought in relation to the issues of freedom and the subject. What is Foucault’s response, and do you think it is accurate?

2. How does Foucault distinguish freedom from mere liberation and power from mere domination? His comments on Habermas are relevant.

3. How does Foucault describe power relations and resistance? Are there any significant changes from The History of Sexuality vol. 1? What ideals does Foucault posit for our exercise of power (see 298-299)?