Introduction to the philosophical life

A Foucauldian reading of the Socratic “examination”

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23925.2318-9215.2023v9n1A1

Keywords:

True life; Philosophical life; Socrates; Examination

Abstract

This article aims to investigate Foucault’s classes in which Socrates’ philosophical activity, more precisely, his method of questions and answers, appears linked to the ethical-existential project of promoting the “true life”. I will adopt a triple hypothesis as a starting point. Initially, this “true life” corresponds exactly to the “philosophical life” proclaimed in Greco-Roman antiquity. Secondly, Foucault attributes to Socrates, and Ancient Cynicism, the real expressions of this “philosophical life”. Finally, in order to properly understand why Socrates is one of the possible expressions of this “philosophical life”, it is necessary to address Foucault’s reading of the Socratic “examination”.

References

FOUCAULT, M. Le courage de la vérité. Cours au Collège de France: 1984. Paris: Gallimard-Seuil, 2009.

FOUCAULT, M. Le gouvernement de soi et des autres. Cours au Collège de France: 1983. Paris: Gallimard-Seuil, 2008.

FOUCAULT, M. Fearless Speech. Edited by Joseph Pearson. Los Angeles: Semiotext(e), 2001.

FOUCAULT, M. L’usage des plaisirs. Paris: Gallimard: 1984.

PINHO, L. C. A parresia ética. In: BUTTURI JR, A.; SEVERO, C. G. (Orgs.).

Foucault e as linguagens. Campinas, SP: Pontes, 2018, p. 105-125.

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Published

2025-03-23

How to Cite

Pinho, L. C. (2025). Introduction to the philosophical life: A Foucauldian reading of the Socratic “examination”. PARALAXE, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.23925.2318-9215.2023v9n1A1

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2024): World Congress Michel Foucault: 40 Years After - Perspectivas da Margem

Section

Dossiê

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