An Inquiry on Relation among Discourse, Truth and Power in Michel Foucault

Year 2018, Issue: 30, 131 - 143, 30.04.2018

Metin Becermen

https://doi.org/10.20981/kaygi.411673

Abstract

Foucault calls his work “a critical
history of the thought.” However, the critical history of the thought is the
time, when any truth games appear, but not the time, when the truth is obtained
or hindered. This history is directly linked to the power and to how the power
operates. Foucault, who also deals with the power matter in line with the
relation between discourse, truth and power, inquires function of the power in
any enclosed institutions formed depending on development conditions of the
capitalism such as hospitals, jails, etc. His main problem is to deal with the
power by acting with any power relationship and to make a power solution
accordingly. In this context, Foucault also adopts the states as a matter
depending on analysis of modern institutions. He thinks that there is a
resistance opportunity in wherever the power is available. Resistance means in
some ways setting forth a different discourse and developing a game other than
the power game. Therefore, Foucault, who thinks that, when the power is at
stake, one should go out of the existing game and leave the state our of the
game, makes a critical room for philosophy at this point.  

Keywords

Discourse, Knowledge, Panopticon, Power, Truth

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