A Fused Theory of Biopower and Political Vulnerability as a Theoretical Method to Investigate "Difficult Knowledge"

• In Event: Responsibility...Even in Our Methods: Critical Theories as Methods for Social Justice Research

Abstract

Objectives
This presentation explores how Giorgio Agamben’s (1998, 2000, 2005) theory of biopower and Judith Butler’s (2004, 2009) work on political vulnerability function as methodological ‘tools’ to investigate difficult knowledge. The notion of ‘difficult knowledge’ has been proposed by Deborah Britzman (Britzman, 1998, 2000, 2013; Britzman & Pitt, 2004; Pitt & Britzman, 2003) to denote the affective and epistemological challenges in teaching and learning about/from social and historical traumas. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss Agamben’s and Butler’s theoretical approaches as methodologies that enable scholars and educators to explore the topic of difficult knowledge and enrich its theorization in education. It argues that these approaches helps us think more critically and reflexively not only about how and why difficult knowledge is constituted but also how and why difficult knowledge can be ethically, politically and affectively engaged in more nuanced ways.
 
Perspective(s) or theoretical framework
Agamben’s theory of biopower invokes a scrutinization of taken-for-granted perspectives about power and the body. In this manner, Agamben’s theory can be applied to enrich understandings of the historical, political, ethical and affective dimensions of difficult knowledge, precisely because of the ways Agamben helps us pay attention to how power and the body work together. Similarly, Butler’s approach to political vulnerability also challenges taken-for-granted perspectives about power, bodies, materiality, trauma and grievable lives. As Riach, Rumens and Tyler (2016) advocate, a Butlerian-inspired methodology which is premised upon a performative ontology opens methodological possibilities for developing a critical and self-reflexive analysis. An approach that combines Agamben’s theory of biopower and Butler’s theory to political vulnerability functions methodologically by enabling us to challenge normative categories when we investigate issues emerging from engaging with difficult knowledge (see also, Author, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019).

Methods/Data Sources
A methodological synthesis of Agamben’s and Butler’s approaches—which I call here a fused theory of biopower and political vulnerability—makes an important intervention to the central concern that drives this presentation, that is, to understand how these approaches work methodologically to offer a more nuanced “analytical front” (Foucault, 1997, p. 51) about difficult knowledge in education. Critical recognition of the epistemological and ontological grounding of theories is important in understanding how different approaches might frame attempts to theorize various topics in education such as difficult knowledge. Importantly, our theoretical choices function as critical methodological tools insofar as they enable us to delve deeper into the historical, ethical and political dimensions of educational topics and therefore to change the grounds of our claims and interests.

Results/Significance
A fused theory of biopower and political vulnerability as a theoretical method has important implications on producing more theoretical research for the field of education that other traditional methods cannot. In particular, a fused theory of biopower and political vulnerability makes possible the theorization of what and how difficult knowledge is constituted within in each context—just as what constitutes bare life or vulnerability—while taking into consideration the contextual social and political norms.

Author

• Michalinos Zembylas, The Open University of Cyprus