The Order of Things: An archaeology of the human sciences (Routledge Classics) - Hardcover

Foucault, Michel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415267366 ISBN 13: 9780415267366

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

When one defines "order" as a sorting of priorities, it becomes beautifully clear as to what Foucault is doing here. With virtuoso showmanship, he weaves an intensely complex history of thought. He dips into literature, art, economics and even biology in The Order of Things, possibly one of the most significant, yet most overlooked, works of the twentieth century. Eclipsed by his later work on power and discourse, nonetheless it was The Order of Things that established Foucault's reputation as an intellectual giant. Pirouetting around the outer edge of language, Foucault unsettles the surface of literary writing. In describing the limitations of our usual taxonomies, he opens the door onto a whole new system of thought, one ripe with what he calls "exotic charm". Intellectual pyrotechnics from the master of critical thinking, this book is crucial reading for those who wish to gain insight into that odd beast called Postmodernism, and a must for any fan of Foucault.

About this title

About the Author

Michel Foucault (1926-84). Celebrated French thinker and activist who challenged people's assumptions about care of the mentally ill, gay rights, prisons, the police and welfare.

From the Back Cover

'Foucault's most important work.' - Hayden V. White

When one defines 'order' as a sorting of priorities, it becomes beautifully clear as to what Foucault is doing here. With virtuoso showmanship, he weaves an intensely complex history of thought. He dips into literature, art, economics and even biology in The Order of Things, possibly one of the most significant works of the twentieth century. Though eclipsed by his later work on power and discourse, it was Order of Things that established Foucault's reputation as an intellectual giant. Pirouetting around the edges of language, Foucault unsettles the surface of literary writing. In describing the limitations of our usual categories, he opens the door on to a whole new system of thought, one ripe with what he calls 'exotic charm'. Intellectual pyrotechnics from the master of critical thinking, this book is crucial reading for those who wish to gain insight into that odd beast called Postmodernism, and a must for any fan of Foucault.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415267366
• ISBN 13: 9780415267366
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 450