Good call Jason.
Foucault´s concept of *episteme *is quite interesting and the description of
the Renaissance *episteme *is very rich. It is a academical way of
describing the hermetic correspondence principle were cosmos, nature, human
body, and things respond to an homology principle structured by language.
Of course this has nothing to do with "technology of the self" but in a way,
the stand point of technology as a mean to perform actions oriented to a
particular end is probably part of our modern and posmodern *episteme. *
S.
On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 1:34 AM, jason winslade <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> I also found Foucault's The Order of Things to be very helpful in
> understanding the notions of correspondence in Renaissance magic, within the
> context of his brand of philosophy and understanding of language and the
> archive...
>
> --- On *Thu, 3/25/10, Sebastián <[log in to unmask]>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Sebastián <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Foucault's Idea of Magic
>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 9:10 PM
>
>
> Nagasiva,
>
> Since Foucault is a western world philosopher, he might have been a victim
> (as many of them) of ethocentrism due to its philosophical roots and
> background. However, the quoted works explicitly specfy that his analysis
> covers only the greek and roman knwoledge products. When he speaks about
> technology he does it from its etimological aspect, that is, as *technè. *Regarding
> the *self, *there might be other works that could provide a broaden
> landscape.
>
> I have only turned into these because they were useful for my theoric
> frame. Finally, he also focused on the ethical aspect of the self-knowledge
> as a reconvertion of the subjectivity. I am an anthropologyst so I wouldn´t
> put my hands on the fire for this since my philosophical knowledge is rather
> limited.
>
> I suggest you read:
>
>
> - Foucault, M. (2005). *The Hermeneutics of the Subject: Lectures at
> the Collège de France 1981-1982. (G.Burchell, Trans.). New York:
> Palgrave MacMillan. (Original work published 2001)*
> - Foucault,M. (1981) *Tecnologías del yo y otros textos afines*.
> Barcelona: Paidós. 1990. (*Techologies of the self *is the english
> translation though I could not find a reference)
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Sebastian
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 8:43 PM, nagasiva yronwode, YIPPIE Director <
> [log in to unmask] <http:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>
>> hi Sebastian
>>
>> Sebastián <[log in to unmask]<http:[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]<http:[log in to unmask]>),
>> Director
>> YIPPIE*! -- http://www.yronwode.org/
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>> *Yronwode Institution for the Preservation
>> and Popularization of Indigenous Ethnomagicology
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>>
>
>
>
> --
> "Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen
> to it carefully".
>
> -Richard Bach, The Messiah's
> Handbook. Ilusions-
>
>
>
--
"Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen
to it carefully".
-Richard Bach, The Messiah's
Handbook. Ilusions-
