Chapter 2.4: Michel Foucault, epistemes

Summary

This lecture explores Michel Foucault's influential concept of 'epistemic' in the history of science, contrasting it with Kuhn's 'paradigm shifts.' Foucault argues that unconscious rules, or 'epistemes,' govern scientific discourse, shaping what is considered serious science. These epistemes are broader and more enduring than paradigms, affecting all sciences and undergoing fewer, yet profound, changes over time. The lecture suggests that understanding these shifts can offer insight into the nature of scientific progress and its societal impacts.

Takeaways

• 📚 Michel Foucault is renowned for his impact on the understanding of science and society, particularly his analysis of power and epistemic history.
• 🔍 Foucault, like Kuhn, sees the history of science as having sudden ruptures rather than a smooth progression, but his concept of 'epistemic' differs from Kuhn's 'paradigm shifts'.
• 🧠 Foucault critiques the emphasis on the individual subject in history, advocating for an examination of large-scale processes and unconscious rules that shape scientific discourse.
• 🤔 He challenges the focus on conscious phenomena in the history of science, arguing that unconscious rules are more critical in determining how we think and act.
• 📖 Foucault introduces the concept of 'episteme' as a set of unconscious rules that govern scientific discourse, distinct from the conscious constructs like theories and methods.
• 🐉 The script provides the example of 'bestiaries' from the Middle Ages to illustrate how different the episteme of that time was from modern scientific inquiry.
• 🚫 Foucault emphasizes that the episteme dictates what is taken seriously in science, contrasting the moralizing of medieval authors with the strict empirical focus of modern scientists.
• 🌐 The episteme is broader than a paradigm, encompassing all scientific disciplines within a society and time period, unlike paradigms which are specific to individual disciplines.
• ⏳ Foucault identifies only three epistemes in European science over the past five centuries, suggesting that changes in the episteme are rare but have profound impacts on all sciences.
• 🌟 The script suggests that understanding Foucault's episteme is crucial for grasping the underlying structures that influence scientific thought and practice.
• 🔮 The possibility of an impending change in the episteme is hinted at, implying a potential revolution in how science is conducted and perceived.

Q & A

Who is Michel Foucault and what is his impact on the study of science and society?

Michel Foucault is a renowned philosopher and social theorist who has significantly influenced the way we understand science and society. He is best known for his analysis of power and his approach to the history of science, particularly his concept of 'epistemic' which has been very influential.

What does Foucault believe about the history of science compared to Kuhn's view?

Like Kuhn, Foucault believes that the history of science is not a single smooth trajectory towards more knowledge but includes sudden changes or ruptures. However, while Kuhn describes these changes as 'paradigm shifts', Foucault introduces the concept of 'epistemic' to describe the underlying assumptions that govern scientific discourse.

What is Foucault's critique of the traditional approach to history, particularly in the context of science?

Foucault criticizes the traditional approach to history for overemphasizing the subject or the individual, such as focusing on the decisions made by important leaders or individual scientists. He argues for a shift away from the level of consciousness of subjects to the unconscious rules that determine how we think, write, and act in the context of science.

What is an 'episteme' according to Foucault?

An 'episteme' in Foucault's terms is a set of unconscious rules that govern all serious scientific discourse in a certain society and time period. It determines what is taken seriously in science and shapes the discourse without the scientists being consciously aware of these rules.

How does Foucault's concept of 'episteme' differ from Kuhn's 'paradigm'?

While a 'paradigm' in Kuhn's view consists of conscious elements like theories, methods, and concepts that scientists work with, Foucault's 'episteme' involves unconscious rules that are deeply ingrained and often unnoticed. An 'episteme' is also broader, encompassing all scientists, not just those in a specific discipline.

How does Foucault approach the history of science in terms of individual contributions versus large-scale processes?

Foucault suggests that the history of science is not solely determined by individual geniuses but by large-scale processes and tendencies within science and society. He posits that even if significant figures like Newton, Darwin, or Freud had never lived, our scientific understanding might have been largely the same.

What is the significance of 'bestiaries' in the context of medieval science as discussed in the script?

Bestiaries were popular in the Middle Ages, often beautifully illustrated collections of animal descriptions with little critical fact-checking. They were taken seriously as sources of knowledge and often included moral or religious lessons drawn from the animal kingdom, reflecting the 'episteme' of the time which allowed for such discourse.

How do the rules of the 'episteme' affect the scientific community according to Foucault?

The rules of the 'episteme' determine what kinds of discourse are taken seriously in science. They govern the types of speech or writing that are considered valid and significant within a scientific community, often without the scientists being consciously aware of these rules.

What are the three epistemic changes Foucault identifies in European science over the past five hundred years?

Foucault claims that there have been three epistemic changes in European science in the past five hundred years, which he suggests occurred around 1600 and again around 1800. These changes represent significant shifts in the underlying assumptions that govern scientific discourse.

What impact does a change in 'episteme' have on science according to Foucault?

A change in 'episteme' has a profound impact on science, as it alters the very rules that determine which ideas and theories are taken seriously across all scientific disciplines. This can lead to a fundamental shift in the approach and understanding of scientific inquiry.

How does Foucault's analysis of the 'episteme' challenge traditional historical narratives?

Foucault's analysis challenges traditional historical narratives by suggesting that history, including the history of science, is not just a story of individual actions and decisions but is also shaped by unconscious rules and structures that influence the discourse and direction of scientific thought.