A funny thing happened on the way to the journal: a commentary on Foucault's ethics and Stuart Murray's 'Care of the self'
2008

A Commentary on Foucault's Ethics and Care of the Self

Commentary

Author Information

Author(s): Murtagh Madeleine J

Primary Institution: Institute of Health and Society, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Conclusion

The commentary critiques the limitations of Stuart Murray's interpretation of Foucault's 'care of the self' and calls for a more nuanced understanding of ethics that includes relational and interactional aspects.

Supporting Evidence

  • The commentary discusses the need for a rethinking of bioethics in light of Foucault's ideas.
  • It critiques the individualistic approach to 'care of the self' and emphasizes the importance of relational ethics.
  • The author argues that governmentality should be understood in a more nuanced way, recognizing both its constraints and its potential benefits.

Takeaway

This article talks about how we should think about taking care of ourselves, not just as individuals but also in how we relate to others and society.

Potential Biases

The interpretation of governmentality as solely coercive may overlook its positive aspects.

Limitations

The commentary highlights the lack of engagement with the relational aspects of care and the potential for reproducing social inequalities.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1747-5341-3-2

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