back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 15043

[from 'Truth and Power (interview)' by Michel Foucault, in 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State ]

Full Idea

Each society has its regime of truth, its 'general politics' of truth - the types of discourse it accepts and makes function as true; the mechanisms for distinguishing; the means of sanctioning it; the values in its acquisition; the status of its keepers.

Gist of Idea

Every society has a politics of truth, concerning its values, functions, prestige and mechanisms

Source

Michel Foucault (Truth and Power (interview) [1976], p.131)

Book Reference

Foucault,Michel: 'Essential Works 1954-1984 3: Power', ed/tr. Faubion,J [Penguin 2002], p.131


A Reaction

[compressed] This idea is appropriately filed under 'society' rather than under 'truth'. Foucault knows there is a genuine truth beneath the complex social story.