Enlightenment and Critique in Michel Foucault

Modernity is marked by the development of knowledge and techniques designed to direct the behaviour of individuals and populations. In order to reflect on the effects of this development this book deals with the relationship between Foucault's analysis of Enlightenment and the concept of ‘critical attitude’ developed by the philosopher. The aim is to understand what Foucault called the ‘ontology of the present’ in other words the endeavour to constantly question the present. The aim is to provoke a discussion in which practices of subjection are problematised promoting the exercise of autonomy and freedom. The book is divided into three chapters. The first chapter presents the concept of the government of conduct addressing the different devices of knowledge and power engendered by Western civilisation. The second chapter analyses the relationship between Enlightenment and the critical attitude in Foucault's thinking. Finally the third chapter explains the concept of the ontology of the present reflecting on the transformation of historical modes of subjectivation.