What Is Foucault's View Of Sexuality?
Sexuality is a multifaceted term with no agreed upon definition. Consequently, different theorists have developed models to showcase their thoughts on the true meaning of sexuality. Some theorists subscribe to similar schools of thought, while others take vastly different approaches. One such view is presented by Michel Foucault in The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction, which garnered mixed reviews. While Foucault’s theory provides a basis for understanding sexuality, his stance overlooks some of the intricacies that are necessary for an inclusive comprehension of the subject. Foucault’s entire argument revolves around the idea that the “repressive hypothesis” is false. He believes that people never actually stopped talking about sex, especially in the scientific fields, so the discourse was never repressed. The presence of this discourse throughout history has contributed to the idea that knowledge and power are directly related to sex and pleasure. Power is shown as being omnipresent rather than the hierarchal, juridico-discursive model that was
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Janice Irvine describes sexology as “dynamic, acting and reacting in a shifting political, cultural, and economic context,” which ties into Foucault’s take on the fluid nature of sexuality. However, Irvine also explains that a more holistic approach is needed to properly understand sexuality and sexology (). Foucault’s belief that sexuality is nothing more than a conduit of power does not take in the whole picture. While sexuality was used to maintain power structures, it was also subject to sociocultural movements that have changed its entire meaning. There is no true authority on sex, so in turn sexuality is not recognized as having true authority over mankind. While Foucault believed that sexuality was nothing more than a power structure determined by discourse, there is still the issue of internal beliefs on
Janice Irvine describes sexology as “dynamic, acting and reacting in a shifting political, cultural, and economic context,” which ties into Foucault’s take on the fluid nature of sexuality. However, Irvine also explains that a more holistic approach is needed to properly understand sexuality and sexology (). Foucault’s belief that sexuality is nothing more than a conduit of power does not take in the whole picture. While sexuality was used to maintain power structures, it was also subject to sociocultural movements that have changed its entire meaning. There is no true authority on sex, so in turn sexuality is not recognized as having true authority over mankind. While Foucault believed that sexuality was nothing more than a power structure determined by discourse, there is still the issue of internal beliefs on