Fuko Mishel

Paul-Michel Foucault was a French philosopher, cultural theorist, and historian. He founded the first department of psychoanalysis in France, taught psychology at the École Normale Supérieure and at the University of Lille, and headed the chair of the history of systems of thought at the Collège de France. He also worked in French cultural missions in Sweden, Poland, and West Germany. He is one of the most widely known representatives of anti-psychiatry. Foucault’s books on the social sciences, medicine, prisons, the problem of madness, and sexuality made him one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.

He was born on 15 October 1926 in the city of Poitiers into a wealthy family. His father, a successful surgeon, taught anatomy at the local medical college. At school, Foucault went by the nickname Polichinelle and was not particularly successful. Even in his favorite subject, history, he ranked second in the class. 1942–1943 — Baccalauréat examinations. Foucault achieves significant success in French, Greek, and Latin. The results are slightly worse in history and natural sciences. An average result in philosophy. 1945 — Foucault prepares for the second time to enter the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. 1945–1946 — Preparation for the entrance exams at the Lycée Henri-IV. There Foucault becomes acquainted with the works of Nietzsche, Marx, and Freud. 1946–1951 — his exam results were fourth across France. After successfully gaining admission, Foucault studies at the École Normale Supérieure. During this period he begins to call himself simply Michel, dropping Paul, his father’s name. He makes several suicide attempts. He begins studying the works of Hegel, Heidegger, and Sartre. On Althusser’s recommendation, he joins the French Communist Party (PCF), but does not attend meetings and does not agree with the party’s position on homosexuality. By that time Foucault had already accepted his nontraditional sexual orientation as the main part of his life. 1951 — after brilliant results, Foucault passes his final examinations on the second attempt. 1952–1955 — Foucault becomes a teacher at the École Normale Supérieure, specializing in philosophy and psychology. His interest in psychology makes him a frequent visitor to the