The Early Foucault

Foucault published his first major book, "History of Madness," in 1961, after working as an academic for a decade. This book is the most detailed study of Foucault's early career, based on archives in France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and the USA. It explores his debt to teachers, diploma thesis on Hegel, teaching career, encounters with Georges Canguilhem, Jacques Lacan, and Georges Dumézil, and his translations of Ludwig Binswanger, Victor von Weizsäcker, and Immanuel Kant. It also discusses his clinical work with Georges and Jacqueline Verdeaux and his cultural work outside of France. Stuart Elden's "The Early Foucault" sheds new light on the formation of a major twentieth-century figure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

Foucault's journey to publish his inaugural major work, "History of Madness," took a significant turn in 1961. Having already immersed himself in the academic realm for a decade, Foucault's contributions extended far beyond the classroom. He served as a professor in Lille and Paris, engaging in extensive writing, organizing cultural programs, and delivering lectures in Uppsala, Warsaw, and Hamburg. Despite his relatively limited publication output during this period, Foucault's intellectual pursuits were far more extensive. Much of his written work, which had been preserved and only recently made accessible to researchers, remains a rich source of knowledge.

To delve into the intricacies of Foucault's early career, this comprehensive study draws upon archives located in France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States. It presents the most detailed account yet of Foucault's formative years, encompassing his academic influences, his diploma thesis on Hegel, and his early teaching experiences. The book explores Foucault's initial encounters with prominent figures such as Georges Canguilhem, Jacques Lacan, and Georges Dumézil, as well as his profound engagement with the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Edmund Husserl, and Martin Heidegger. Furthermore, it delves into Foucault's translations of Ludwig Binswanger, Victor von Weizsäcker, and Immanuel Kant, his clinical work with Georges and Jacqueline Verdeaux, and his cultural endeavors outside of France.

Stuart Elden's insightful exploration in "The Early Foucault" sheds light on Foucault's profound engagement with phenomenology, anthropology, and psychology. By meticulously examining the genesis of "History of Madness," Elden unveils the deep connections that shaped Foucault's intellectual trajectory. This outstanding work of intellectual history not only provides valuable insights into Foucault's development but also contributes to our understanding of the formation of a significant twentieth-century figure.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 238 x 158 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509525959