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Submitted by venuswasaflytrap on September 26, 2007
Category: Philosophy
Words: 1035 | Pages: 5
Views: 165
Popularity Rank: 73,497
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"The History of Sexuality" is not so much about sex, as it is about the relationship between communication, discourse, knowledge in power. In the Foucault debates the ever so common ideology that sexuality has become "repressed" by power in the Western world; he offers insight into the relationship of power-knowledge-pleasure. More specifically, Foucault argues against what he calls the "repressive hypothesis". Although Foucault does not refute this argument entirely, he raises several questions.
This repressive hypothesis supposes since the Victorian age of the bourgeoisie, the sexuality of humans has been repressed. He discusses how many consider that the repression of the bourgeoisie, in modern terms, coincides with the development of capitalism and the repression that developed with it. "It (sexuality) is incompatible with a general and intensive work imperative."
Why do we view sexuality as something that is supposed to be repressed? Foucault argues that this "repressive hypothesis" leads people to discourse about sex; the relationship is intertwined. Because we believe or own sexuality is repressed, to discuss it is viewed as liberating, as empowering, as "revolutionary." He compares our discourse on sexuality to preaching; sexual discourse alludes to a future of liberation, a future of freedom from the "powers that be". Therefore, instead of asking the question of "Why are we repressed?", Foucault believes it is more logical to ask "Why do we say we are repressed; why do we speak so much of our own repression?". The notion that we are repressed goes against countless advances towards free speech, the recent broadening of what is termed socially acceptable, etc.
Foucault believes that what he calls the "juridico-discursive" idea behind power is both a misconception, as well as one that underlies the "repressive hypothesis"; it is present in the minds of many members of our society. The "juridco-discursive" concept views power as...
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