Why has there been such an explosion of discussion about sex in the west since the 17th century? Here, one of France's greatest intellectuals explores the evolving social, economic and political forces that have shaped our attitudes to sex. In a book that is at once controversial and seductive, Foucault describes how we are in the process of making a science of sex which is devoted to the analysis of desire rather than the increase of pleasure.
| ||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Trade in The History of Sexuality: The Will to Knowledge: The Will to Knowledge v. 1 for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
One of the leading intellectuals of the twentieth century and the most prominent thinker in post-war France, Foucault's work influenced disciplines as diverse as history, sociology, philosophy, sociology and literary criticism.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 60 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This, the first volume of French philosopher Michel Foucault's tripartite study of sexuality is as idiosyncratic as the man himself. Unlike the works of a number of his colleages, this book is highly accessible and of interest to any broadminded reader, although it would be of particular interest to students of philosophy, sociology, gender, politics, religion, history etc etc.. I personally have recommended H.O.S.1 to a number of friends and have yet to receive a negative response. While more of an intellectual curiosity than a full blown philosophy, Foucault's concepts reverberate far beyond the parameters of the book's subject.
45 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Readable and digestable is very much what can characterise the style of the book. In content, Foucault explores the creation of sexual categories and their relevance to the power structures of the capitalist society. It is a clear treatise on sexual fascism and how it is used to the ends of the power structure. Inherent within the book, and it is this which makes it different from other attempts, is the manner in which Foucault views the conditioning of sexuality as part of our Western scientific tradition. In certain respects, he is unscathed by that same tradition in the way he comments on sexuality and its deployment as a tool for power. In this way, the book does not reflect a critique of the capitalist economy more than a realisation of the way power is ingrained within the structures of the political economy and the psyche of the people.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Bruce L
Format:Paperback
So much of Michel Faucault's studies on sexuality have become part of our contemporary consciousness on the issue that it is difficult for someone like myself who is not a specialist in the field to add much of value. My only serious question concerning these three volumes is why Faucault sees Hellenic and Roman culture being the exclusive precursors and sources for Christian and therefore modern concepts of sexuality. Little or no mention is made of Hebraic sources. It is, of course, possible that Hebraic sources plaid no significant role in this specific discourse, but given that they did, in fact, contribute to many other areas of Christian thought, at very least a discussion of the reasons for their putative lack of significance to this discourse is warranted.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An accessible read and a noteworthy read too
This book and the second volume are worth looking at for most social science students and students in related disciplines. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Bobby Moon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant and provocative
First published in 1976, this is the first volume of Foucault's great analysis and theorisation of `sexuality', a concept, he argues, which emerges in the nineteenth century. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Roman Clodia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice book!
I bought this book for my course! Very nice book! It explains the relation of man with / and sexuality!
Published 17 months ago by Petros
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beat around the Bush
Whilst Communists following Marx concentrated on the felt effects of power in alienation and the industrial production. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2011 by Dr. Delvis Memphistopheles
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Will to Cloud the Issue
The inane self-contradictory ramblings of a man with serious issues concerning his own sexuality.He purports to prove that there was no sexual repression by constantly referring to... Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2005
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Psychology & Psychiatry > Specific Topics > Sexual Behaviour
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Self Help > Practical & Motivational
- Books > History > Cultural History
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Philosophy
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Cultural Studies > History of Ideas
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Gender Studies
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
