Foucault's History of the Present and Tracing the Philosophy of Thought

• In Event: Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, and Post-Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Objectives or Purposes: In this paper I will explore Foucault’s history of the present as a productive ontological and methodological space. Too often, qualitative scholars, including myself, are caught in rapid epistemological production, involving replication of the same methods, with methodologies being maximized to produce ‘valid’/proven knowledge, fast data, simplified findings, and quick, expected analysis. In this paper I aim to counter this visible approach and utilisation of methodologies and techniques, by providing a way to reconceptualize, read and theorize the history and philosophy of thought.
Perspectives or theoretical frameworks: This paper is situated within St. Pierre’s notion of ‘post-qualitative’ research, and from this perspective, methodologies are without strict boundaries or normative structures. It incorporates methodologies that diversify, that may do seemingly nothing, begin anywhere, anytime but by doing so can create a sense of uncertainty, absence, and preconceptualized, or (traditional) historical knowledge. This scholarship of diversification, and emerging practices brings about methodological challenges and examples that might push current research practices and question certain methodological traditions.
Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry: I utilise Foucault’s scholarship in a re-reading of his work to promote change and ontological movement in methodological practices. I conceptualise and practice history of the present inquiries to the point of tracing of the philosophy of thought, bringing different forms of self-realizations to inquiry.
Data sources, evidence, objects, or materials. This paper is situated within a re-reading of the classical texts and re-thinking of Foucault’s contribution to the philosophy of the subject. There is an argument to make about whether there is any methodology present which does not provide normative structures; but offers the potential for fluid methodologies that diversify.
Results and/or substantiated conclusions or warrants. Post-qualitative research scholars could be more attentive to Foucault’s scholarship, that I read (similarly to Deleuze) as always being, in some ways, imminent, changing, and ‘becoming’, and carrying elements of the unknown and unanticipated. My record and reading of this experience could point to the methodological third space between subjects and objects, increase our relational/self awareness, and scholarship could point out to the spaces of knowing, doing, and relating, with Foucault.
Scientific or scholarly significance: Thinking, doing, reading, and writing with Foucault is still relevant today and contributes to the thinking within post-qualitative inquiry

Author

• Marek Tesar, The University of Auckland