hi Sebastian
Sebastián <[log in to unmask]>:
> Regarding magic as technology I found the definition from
> Michel Foucault about "technologies of the self" very
> useful and some other academics have already used it
> as well to describe certain *"operations over the body
> and soul that account for the transformation of ourselves
> in order to obtain happiness, wisdom, immortality, etc."
> *(Foucault 1980:48). NOTE: This is my translation to
> English from the Spanish version I made use for my thesis.
> Foucault uses it in the context of an analysis of the
> philosophical sects * circa* V century A.D.. ....
does Foucault explain how he would recognize it in his
or in other cultures?
does he determine whether it has to, or should, have aims
or interests of result pertaining to the self (e.g. a
mystical aim), or if this is merely an aspect of what is
to be causing the change (the self, something internal)?
> Nevertheless, I found it very useful to relate it to
> the contemporary concept of "self-knowledge".
where it pertains to esoterica and mystical aims
for magic, i can see how this would relate.
> Besides, the author argues that the basis of
> a technology of the self come from the practices
> and ideas of *gnothi* *seauthon *(know thyself)
> and the *épiméleia heautou* (look after thyself).
now is this because of the relation to self, or in
the sense of something spiritual or mystical?
curious, thanks for your reference.
nagasiva yronwode ([log in to unmask]), Director
YIPPIE*! -- http://www.yronwode.org/
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*Yronwode Institution for the Preservation
and Popularization of Indigenous Ethnomagicology
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