Power and Ideology; Foucault and Althusser. On the inherent contradiction between subject and structure

Will Pan

Graduate Panel 1

Power and Ideology; Foucault and Althusser. On the inherent contradiction between subject and structure

Will Pan (Deakin University)

Abstract: French (post)structuralism by large is committed to two theses.

1. There exists an all-encompassing omnipresent social structure (Ideology, Discursive, etc.).

2. Members of society, as subjects are all subjected to this inescapable structure through some form of a social mechanism (interpellation, inculcation, power).

These two theses are posited and reposited by many notable French (post)structuralist thinkers, Claude Levi-Strauss, Pierre Bourdieu, but perhaps none more notable than Michel Foucault and Louis Althusser. The theory of Ideology and the theory of power are both strongly influential for philosophers and social theorists committed to analysing subvert forms of structural oppression.

In this paper, I conduct a symptomatic reading of both Foucault and Althusser. Which means that although the arguments of the texts will be considered and analysed, I will primarily focus on what the text omits or to use a Freudian term – represses. I present a “homology”, between Foucault’s theory of structure and power, and Althusser’s theory of Ideology and Interpellation. I will demonstrate that there is an inherent contradiction in both of their theories of structure and subject.

Bio: Will is a masters student at Deakin University in Philosophy. He graduated his honors and currently tutors at the University of Melbourne. Will is primarily interested in the question of Ideology in the Marxist and Psychoanalytic Tradition.

**Times listed are for panel times as order of presentations in each panel may differ from the schedule.