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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

186123

Civilizing "life itself"

Elias and Foucault

Dominique Memmi

pp. 111-123

Abstract

How decisions regarding reproduction and the end of life are actually made in our societies? The administration of life, at both its beginning and end, has seen dramatic change from the second half of the twentieth century onward. The multisecular rejection of biological destiny has deeply accelerated. This rejection took two forms: first, a revolt against demands from state or society about physical destiny; second, a revolt against nature itself. The power exerted over life by state, society, or nature itself waned in the face of the power increasingly wielded by individuals in this respect.

Publication details

Published in:

Savoia Landini Tatiana (2014) Norbert Elias and empirical research. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 111-123

DOI: 10.1057/9781137312143_7

Full citation:

Memmi Dominique (2014) „Civilizing "life itself": Elias and Foucault“, In: T. Savoia Landini (ed.), Norbert Elias and empirical research, Dordrecht, Springer, 111–123.