Michel Foucault: A Critical Study of Life, Sexuality and Intellectual Formation

Abstract

Michel Foucault is regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century who sought to reinterpret the interrelation of power, knowledge, and sexuality through new perspectives. This paper offers a critical analysis of the connection between Foucault’s personal life and his intellectual development. In particular, it examines his experiences of homosexuality, his exploration of new possibilities of pleasure within the American social milieu, and his reflections on unconventional sexual practices such as sadomasochism. The study further highlights that Foucault did not perceive sexuality merely as a biological reality or a form of social repression, but as a field of freedom, self-formation, and the strategic play of power. However, these experiences also led to crises in his personal life, manifesting in social criticism, public controversy, and ultimately illness and death. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that Foucault’s personal experiences not only shaped his philosophical trajectory but also provided a critical discourse on sexuality that continues to hold central significance in contemporary intellectual debates.

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