Full name: Foucault: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Gary Gutting Rank: Rating: Original Rating: Pop Rating: Genres/categories: Philosophy, Non Fiction, History Purchase/reserch links: Goodreads LibraryThing Amazon ISBNs: 9780192805577 0192805576

Foucault is one of those rare philosophers who has become a cult figure. Born in 1926 in France, over the course of his life he dabbled in drugs, politics, and the Paris SM scene, all whilst striving to understand the deep concepts of identity, knowledge, and power.From aesthetics to the penal system; from madness and civilisation to avant-garde literature, Foucault was happy to reject old models of thinking and replace them with versions that are still widely debated today. A major influence on Queer Theory and gender studies (he was openly gay and died of an AIDS-related illness in 1984), he also wrote on architecture, history, law, medicine, literature, politics and of course philosophy, and even managed a best-seller in France on a book dedicated to the history of systems of thought.Because of the complexity of his arguments, people trying to come to terms with his work have desperately sought introductory material that makes his theories clear and accessible for the beginner. Ideally suited for the Very Short Introductions series, Gary Gutting presents a comprehensive but non-systematic treatment of some highlights of Foucault's life and thought. Beginning with a brief biography to set the social and political stage, he then tackles Foucault's thoughts on literature, in particular the avant-garde scene; his philosophical and historical work; his treatment of knowledge and power in modern society; and his thoughts on sexuality. Similar books: The Cambridge Companion to Foucault by Gary Gutting Ancient Philosophy by Julia Annas Berkeley by David Berman The Meaning of Things by A. C. Grayling Foucault For Beginners by Lydia Alix Fillingham Kant in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern What Does It All Mean? by Thomas Nagel Think by Simon Blackburn The Meaning of Life by Terry Eagleton The Silence of Animals by John Gray 50 Philosophy Ideas You Really Need to Know by Ben Dupre Introducing Kierkegaard by Dave Robinson Wittgenstein in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern Six Great Ideas by Mortimer J. Adler The Philosopher's Toolkit by Julian Baggini The Philosophy of Schopenhauer by Bryan Magee The Dominion of the Dead by Robert Pogue Harrison The Unity of Philosophical Experience by Etienne Gilson The Life-Giving Sword by Yagyu Munenori The Writing of the Disaster by Maurice Blanchot