Foucault's History of Sexuality, Vol. 1, Explained

This is a brief introduction to one of the major arguments at the beginning of Michel Foucault's The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1. The argument concerns what Foucault calls the "repressive hypothesis."

The video illustrates major parts of Foucault's argument by staging an imagined dialogue between Foucault and Sigmund Freud, whose theories of sexuality revolve around the notion of repression.

Important concepts in Foucault's work are highlighted here, including the distinction between repressive and normalizing power, and the notion of sexuality as a "discourse."

[percyh]

I have always been extremely intimidated by Foucault after first encountering him in a hostile class environment in undergrad and made to feel stupid for not understanding the finer points of his argument right away. After years of avoiding him I've found myself in a PhD program, and of COURSE for my qualifying exams I finally have to tackle his work once and for all. This video was so approachable and helpful to watch after reading through volume 1 on my own... It helped me succinctly recap his larger points in preparation for my first qualifying exam meeting. Great video, thank you so much!!!

[mrittwikaduttagupta]

DUDE this was so well explained, WHY aren't more people watching this

[LisaPellegrino]

I'm going on a deep dive right now into sexuality, power, and repression. I really appreciated the articulation in this video of the difference between "repressive power" and "normalizing power". Thank you to everyone here who is being so thoughtful on this important topic. I feel very lucky to have access to all this knowledge that previously was locked up in ivory towers.

[gowthambobby]

I am here because of an exam tommorow but i gotta say i'm glad i found this channel. The way of explanation is so good. He explains these theories in a calm in nature but with high effectivenews hoping to see more videos from here 🎉

[estho]

So well explained, thank you! Also very entertaining what the automatically generated subtitles did to Focault's name :D

[husseinmohammed]

Really informative, i liked the conversation btw Freud and Foucault the most.

[VickyGRUENBLAT]

You've articulated a very complex idea that I've been working on unraveling for 22 years. I've been working on this as it pertains to the effects of sexual assault on sexual expression.

[ljubisavukovic]

Great analysis, good examples, really helped me out before starting the book!

[Francinetremblay-sd]

Thank you so much for this video - this is perfect to introduce to my students this autumn.

[kassiegmusic]

SO helpful and explained in a phenomenal way. thank you!!

[лісрук]

An incredible explanation, thank you! Totally gave me a hint for my essay.

[hannahosman]

That's a phenomenal explanation, keep doing what you do!

[jaysingh]

Great explanation! I read the text a while back and was gonna struggle through it again at some point. And I still might. But your video is/will be helpful either way.

[kamalamansfield]

This was SO damn helpful and clear! Thank you!!

[mohammadmaniat]

It's always wonderful when educational content can be shared and appreciated. Michel Foucault's "History of Sexuality" is an influential work that has had a significant impact on the study of sexuality, power, and society. thanks

[JDG-hqgy]

Notes

He focuses on one part of the argument

The repressive hypothesis.
It is: The Victorian Bourgeoise culture condemned sex, if there was less repression it would be enjoyed more. Foucault says this is false.

Freud argued that repression reduces the enjoyment of sex.

Freud said that the demands of civilisation repressed sex, the hiding of sexuality caused neurosis, so bringing them to the surface removed the repression.

Freud argues that sex is kept secret by repression. Foucault argues that the scrutiny on it leads to it being more present in conversation and in peoples lives.

Society telling us to keep sex private exaggerates it.

There are two types of power.

There is repressive / negative power, telling you not to do something

Normalising power makes you want to do something, it’s still power because it’s influence, but it’s not violent. It’s often subtle instead of direct like repressive power.

Normalising power made normative sexuality a discursive entity.

People started defining identity through actions, so homosexuality was no longer a sinful action but an identity as a home sexual.

The secrecy of sexuality has increased interest in it. For example, people are only confess to sexuality because it’s considered a sin.

[adolfobermudez]

These videos are so helpful. Thanks. It has happened that I am studying different topics and you happen to have videos about them. :))

[flowersandmoon]

A very good starting point before delving into the book. Succinct and well structured!!

[srishtipal]

Easy to understand provided a foundation for approaching the text! I am going to refer to this before my lectures, thanks!

[spargelschaeler]

Thank you so much! You are helping me a lot with a paper that I am writing