To Become Again What We Never Were: Foucault and the Politics of Transformation The Harvard ...

369 Pages·2015·2.37 MB·English

by  Tara Dankel

To Become Again What We Never Were: Foucault
and the Politics of Transformation
Citation
Dankel, Tara Marie. 2015. To Become Again What We Never Were: Foucault and the Politics of
Transformation. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
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To Become Again What We Never Were: Foucault and the Politics of Transformation

A dissertation presented

by

Tara Marie Dankel

to

The Committee on the Study of Religion

in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

in the subject of

The Study of Religion

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

15 December 2014
© 2015--Tara Marie Dankel
All rights reserved.
Dissertation Advisor: Professor Anne E. Monius Tara Marie Dankel

To Become Again What We Never Were: Foucault and the Politics of Transformation

Abstract

This dissertation began with two questions. First, how does Michel Foucault
understand ethical subject formation as demonstrated in his late work? Second, does the
failure of environmental activism in the United States to achieve radical change in
individuals' perspectives and practices derive from a faulty understanding of the human
subject? I address these questions in two stages. In the body of the dissertation--through
close reading in French of the courses at the Collège de France from 1981-1984 and
Foucault's late interviews, essays, and occasional lectures--I engage in exegesis of some
of the basic terms of his late work on ethics, including conversion, askēsis, parrhēsia, and
the self. The key conclusions that I draw from this work are five-fold: (1) the self is a
process rather than a substance, and ethical transformation requires questioning the
assumptions and values of one's society and conversion to a different regime of truth; (2)
conversion occurs through daily training of the mind and body through practice, what
Foucault calls "the subjectivation of true discourse," and is a life-long task; (3) this
training must be supported both by intimate relationships of friendship and guidance and
larger communities of practice; (4) social transformation occurs through personal
transformation in the course of demonstrating the truth to others through words and
actions, a practice Foucault terms parrhēsia; (5) Foucault imagines freedom both as the
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radical contingency of reality and the ability of individuals to think and be otherwise.
Freedom is not a possession or state, but a practice.
In the introduction, I explore the importance of troubling the subject of
environmental philosophy and activism, arguing that one key reason that environmental
activism is ineffective is the lack of critical reflection on theories of subjectivity. In the
conclusion, I bring Foucault into conversation with Bill McKibben, one of the most
prominent environmental activists in the United States. Thinking with these two men, I
suggest some ways in which a Foucauldian understanding of ethical subject formation
might promote better strategies for individual change.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Abbreviations for Foucauldian Works x

Introduction 1

Chapter One: Conversion 50

Chapter Two: Askēsis 81

Chapter Three: Friendship 128

Chapter Four: Parrhēsia 189

Chapter Five: Freedom 235

Conclusion: Towards a Cynic-al Activism 279

Bibliography 336

v
Acknowledgments

As with any attempt to put into words a debt of gratitude for something as
immense as writing a dissertation, these acknowledgments can only be partial and
insufficient to convey my love and appreciation for everyone who has participated in the
last nine years of my life. Please forgive any omissions and know that they are only on
the page and not in my heart.
My most profound thanks go to my advisor, Anne Monius. I don't think that it
would be exaggerating to say that without her unflagging support and encouragement,
this dissertation would not have been written. Her door is always open; her criticism is
challenging but motivating; her deep commitment to both her scholarship and her
students is a source of inspiration and aspiration. Of all the people at Harvard--and there
are many--who have had to weather the capriciousness of my academic journey, Anne
has done so with the most grace, humor, and determination. When I speak in the
dissertation of the friendship that binds and transforms, I am speaking of her.
Many other teachers and mentors have guided me on this journey, and I thank
them all heartily for the lessons they have taught. My dissertation committee is comprised
of people who took a leap of faith in me, Mark Jordan because he stuck with me through
many changes in both of our lives and Ladelle McWhorter because she was kind enough
to join at the last minute and give it her all. Both gave me the gifts of their time and
intellectual energy and have demonstrated through their own work what elegant, incisive
writing on Foucault looks like. David Lamberth, Davíd Carrasco, and Ronald Thiemann
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helped me through the many hurdles of the PhD program at Harvard. Asad Ahmed
treated me as a colleague and challenged and complicated my thought about Foucault. It
was my pleasure and privilege to teach for many years for Matthew Kaiser in Harvard's
English Department. Matthew is a teacher who both understands the theatricality of the
lecture hall and the real reason we do what we do, to teach and learn alongside our
students. He gave me the freedom to experiment in the classroom and the support to feel
confident taking risks, all with a quick wit that brings a smile to my face even now.
A word for my dear friends at the Café Gato Rojo. Unfortunately (or fortunately),
too many beautiful people have come into my life at the Gato, both behind and in front of
the counter, to name and do justice to them all. It has become a second home and second
family. Moreover, it models an alternate way of life in a world that so often demands
conformity. The diversity of the Gato, its persistence in thinking otherwise life at
Harvard, transforms and guides us. It challenges our assumptions and refuses to stay still.
It comforts, but doesn't accept our excuses. It is the closest thing to a community of
practice I have yet achieved in my life. And the dancing, oh, the dancing.
Although graduate school is often viewed as two distinct realms--one's own
research and the work one does to make ends meet--I have been lucky to teach courses
with engaged, interesting, and generous students. They force me to clarify my own
thought and remind me why universities exist in the first place--to share ideas, to grow as
individuals. At the most difficult moments in my own process of research and writing,
my students were there to encourage me and put things in perspective, and for that I am
grateful.
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The task of expressing gratitude to all my fellow travelers over the past nine years
and more is a daunting one. I will do my best. To Ernie, for being my constant partner,
whether in the tumult of intellectual argument or that of the dance floor. Kate, who
entered my life too recently to feel good about having to say goodbye. Anouska, for
laughter and schmoogles and seeking her own path. Claudio, who welcomed me into his
world and showed me what hospitality means. Rob, who embodies an ancient art with
verve, his letters rendering his presence quasi-physical. Chris, who talks to me about
books and everything else over a glass of whiskey. Nikki, who always has fun and makes
sure that everyone else does too. Andy, a paragon of discipline, who shows me how to
work hard and play hard. Billy, for whom everything I do is magical, a hard attitude to
maintain without irony. Anton, the spirit of adventure and my unlikely companion in
life's gambols. Case, superb cook, writer, and listener, willing to join me in nights that
bleed into mornings. Alec and Sarah, who know when to tell me I'm wrong and what it
means to love something and let it go. To Vince, an extraordinary teacher and scholar
who inspired me to embark on this path and taught me how to stay grounded nonetheless.
To Vito, who embodies all the passions of his Sicilian forbearers and keeps me honest.
To friends from William Allen--Laura, Kate, Kerin, Steve, Jess, and Tyson--with whom I
have grown over the past fifteen years. My crew from Georgetown and friends--Kartik,
Leah, Joe, Jonathan, Richard, Aimee, Jess, Sarah, and Tom--who entice me to weekends
away and awe me with all the incredible things they are doing. To the gang at the RHT--
Hannah, Alex, Robbie, Ashish, Derek, Trevor, Jabril, Alec, JP, Shane, and Nick--who
hold a seat for me at the bar and keep me in oysters and Clyde May's. Finally, to my
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sweet Memphis, who has kept me warm through all these cold New England winters and
been a captive audience to my trials and tribulations.
In closing, I cannot express enough the importance of family, both given and
chosen. I am so thankful for parents who have always trusted me, supported me, and
given me their love unconditionally. Without that foundation, I never could have
journeyed so far afield. While my adventures may sometimes cause sadness and anxiety,
they have always encouraged me to seek my own road. In the midst of a particularly
difficult period in my dissertation writing, my parents suggested that I might consider
leaving Harvard and doing something that would make me happier, like opening a coffee
shop. I'm sure they would have been just as proud of me if I had done that. Jill, my oldest
friend, has taught this only child what it means to have a sibling, and she and her family
are truly my own. Sean has been there for me during the pivotal years of my dissertation,
buoying me in moments of panic and self-doubt, teaching me what it means to love
without grasping, buying me lobster sandwiches. Although our paths are separating, I am
so happy to have him in my life. Finally, to Lauren, with whom I was formed in the
crucible and emerged to a world made new. This is for you.

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