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“Pragmatic Humanism” in Foucault's Later Work

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2005

Joan M. Reynolds
Joan M. Reynolds
Affiliation:
University of Alberta
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Abstract

Abstract. Michel Foucault's late turn to ethics for an understanding of subject self-constitution is explored in relation to the problematic of humanism. Foucault's reconsideration of Immanuel Kant's Enlightenment-grounded legacy constitutes, it is argued, a significant resource for thinking about new ways to approach cultural practices that have as their aim a reconstitution of identity outside dominant structures of scientific and legal knowledge. This essay explores how Foucault's earlier anti-humanist misgivings give way to a more ethical-pragmatic conception of humanism in relation to notions of freedom, rights and equality. The insights of pragmatism—particularly those of John Dewey—are employed as a means by which to situate what is called here the “pragmatic humanism” of the later Foucault.

Résumé. Le tour en retard de Michel Foucault à l'éthique pour une compréhension d'individu-constitution soumise est exploré parrapport au problématique de l'humanisme. La reconsidération de Foucault du legs d'Immanuel Kant publiant hors de l'éclaircissement constitue, il est discutée, une ressource importante pour penser à de nouvelles manières d'approcher les pratiques culturelles qui ont en tant que leur but une reconstitution des structures dominantes d'extérieur d'identité de la connaissance scientifique et légale. Explore comment des craintes plus tôt d'anti-humaniste de Foucault mènent à une conception moral-pragmatique d'humanisme par rapport aux notions de la liberté, des droites, et de l'égalité. Les perspicacités du pragmatisme—en particulier ceux de John Dewey—utilisé comme moyens par lesquels pour situer ce qui est s'appellent ici l'humanisme pragmatic du Foucault plus défunt.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue canadienne de science politique , Volume 37 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 951 - 977
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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