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Foucault Sex And Power Essay

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Foucault states, “We must at the same time conceive of sex without the law and power without the king” (81). Foucault argues that sex and power must not be viewed as something that is only controlled by the law but rather as multidimensional with various forms that do not manifest themselves solely in coercion. Foucault’s suggests that power is unacquired, not external but within internal structures, non-binary, intentional and non-subjective, and exists simultaneously with resistance. First, Foucault suggests that power is not a “thing” that an individual can or cannot have but can be exercised from various angles in any relation. Foucault states, “Power is not something that is acquired, seized, or shared, something that one holds on to or allows to slip away” (94). …show more content…

Similarly, like power, nature is not one “thing” we can point to or acquire. Individuals can point to mountains and lakes but must recognize that nature itself is more abstract. As like power, nature suggests a compelling relationship between individuals and the earth which indicates how it constantly changes. Secondly, Foucault suggests that power is not external to the relationships it works upon, but determines their internal structure, insinuating that power operates within institutions. Foucault states, “Relations of power are not in a position of exteriority with respect to other types of relationship (economic, knowledge relationships, sexual relations), but are immanent in the latter” (94). In other words, power should be evaluated within and in relation to economics, sexuality, knowledge relationships, etc. Power should be identified within these structures because the relationships and connections that are formed within these structures determine and produce what power looks and feels like. Furthermore, nature is not something that solely exists externally but as something that works within itself. As like power, nature should be thought of as a changing process

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