Hermeneutics of the Subject (College de France Lecture Series...)

Author: Michel Foucault
Translator: She Biping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Hermeneutics of the Subject is a transcript of Michel Foucault's lectures at the Collège de France during the academic year 1981–1982. In this book, Foucault conducts a detailed study of "taking care of oneself." For Foucault, "taking care of oneself" is not merely the famous Delphic maxim "Know thyself," but also encompasses various philosophical practices. It aims to demonstrate how the ethical subject is self-fashioned through means, steps, and historical purposes in relation to its given self. This research goes beyond the strict confines of the history of philosophy. While describing ancient modes of subjectivation, Foucault also seeks to reveal the temporality of modern modes of subjectivation. Because interpreting ancient subjects allows us to explore the identity of these modern subjects. Foucault's entire work is intended to show that we are strangers to ourselves. In other words, our relationship with ourselves is historical and constantly changing.