Foucault: Discourse Theory

• Michel Foucault (born 15 October 1926 - 25 June 1984) was a French philosopher, historian, social theorist, philologist and literary critic.
• In his works he emphasized the relationship between power and knowledge, and how they are used as a tool of social control.
• Foucault is often cited as post - structuralist or postmodernist, however, he preferred to define his thought as a critical history of modernity.
• "Knowledge is power"

Foucault: The Theory of Discourse

THE TEXTBOOK DEFINITION OF DISCOURSE

Daria Krzysiak, UWr, Journalism and Social

Communication

"People use their language to do things: to order and request, persuade and accuse. This focus on language function is also one of the major components of discourse analysis. (Wetherell et al., 2001, p.198)"

or....

Discourse “is that thing, that linguistic output, which is produced by human beings when they meet, chat, work, and communicate in everyday life” (Wetherell at el, p.82)

Power

Often localized rather than centralized

Example: the types of discourse used in professions such as medicine

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge in different subject areas accumulated throughout history, and changed during different historical periods

Encouraged people to think about the processes in society that affected them

Knowledge and Power

• Now know: knowledge is product of discourse
• Knowledge arises when discourse has established credibility
• KNOWLEDGE then becomes POWER

Conclusions

• Foucault interested in the discursive formation that holds discourse together and establishes truth

Discursive forms

Human Sciences have created normal/abnormal discourse

Main ideas:

Discourse

Abnormal vs. normal

Discourse comes from knowledge, and knowledge from discourse this results in power

First: Rules the control what is allowed to be talked about and govern the appearance of objects of discourse (Ex: In the Victorian age, children’s sexuality was not an object of discourse)

- Second: Concerns who is allowed to speak and write (Ex: Lawyer); Criteria of competence and knowledge (Ex: Medical doctors); Rules defining speaker’s gestures, behaviors, etc. (Ex: judge wearing robes)

- Third: Concerns the form that concepts and theories must assume to be accepted as knowledge

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE THEORY OF DISCOURSE?

Introduction

Discourse: based on ideas of Michel Foucault, discourse theory refers to the idea that the terms in which we speak, write and think about the world are a reflection of wider relations of power, and since they are also linked to practice, are themselves important in maintaining that power structure

To make it more clear, through practical examples, you will find out more about discourse theory and about the issues that researchers look for as they analyze political texts.

Do YOU have any questions?

What is discourse for

WHAT IS DISCOURSE

• The term discourse has several definitions. In the study of language, it often refers to the speech patterns and usage of language, dialects, and acceptable statements, within a community. It is a subject of study in peoples who live in secluded areas and share similar speech conventions
• Sociologists and philosophers tend to use the term discourse to describe the conversations and the meaning behind them by a group of people who hold certain ideas in common.The definitions by Michel Foucault hold it to be the acceptable statements made by a certain type of discourse community. This explanation will primarily consider the definition pertaining to sociology.

- Plays a central role in the creation of knowledge

- Everything that can be spoken about in a particular discourse community is knowledge

- Discursive Formation: A cultural code, structure, network, or style of organization that governs the language, perception, values and practices of a certain historical period.

- Discourse provides an intellectual framework which gives rise to the knowledge or truths of a particular time

- Only one discursive formation can dominate at any one time