{"product_id":"abnormal-lectures-at-the-college-de-france-1974-1975-9780312424053","title":"Abnormal: Lectures at the College de France 1974-1975","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbnormal: Lectures at the Collège de France 1974-1975\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 1971 until his death in 1984, Michel Foucault delivered public lectures at the prestigious Collège de France, drawing thousands of attendees and shaping the landscape of French intellectual thought. This volume presents the complete lectures from 1974-1975, offering direct access to Foucault's groundbreaking analysis of power, normality, and social control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Themes and Content\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eAbnormal\u003c\/i\u003e lectures examine the role of psychiatry in modern criminal justice systems, analyzing how psychiatric expertise became instrumental in categorizing individuals as dangerous before any criminal act occurred. Foucault traces the historical development of concepts that defined who was considered \"abnormal\" versus \"normal\" in society, revealing these distinctions as mechanisms of power rather than objective medical categories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on themes introduced in \"Society Must Be Defended,\" these lectures demonstrate how nineteenth-century institutions wielded the authority to define abnormality and normality as prerogatives of social control. Foucault explores the intersection of medical knowledge, legal systems, and state power, showing how psychiatric discourse became embedded in mechanisms of societal self-defense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAcademic Significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis lecture series represents essential material for understanding Foucault's broader philosophical project. The lectures provide insight into his methodology and thinking process, connecting to major works including \u003ci\u003eMadness and Civilization\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe History of Sexuality\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eDiscipline and Punish\u003c\/i\u003e. Scholars of philosophy, criminology, psychiatry, and social theory will find this volume indispensable for comprehending the development of post-structuralist thought and critical approaches to power relations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout This Edition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished by Picador USA as part of the complete thirteen-volume series of Collège de France lectures, this paperback edition includes expert editing by Arnold I. Davidson, who teaches at the University of Chicago and serves as executive editor of \u003ci\u003eCritical Inquiry\u003c\/i\u003e. The lectures add immeasurably to appreciation of Foucault's work, offering a unique window into his intellectual process during a pivotal period of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume is essential for students and researchers in philosophy, sociology, criminology, history, and critical theory, providing foundational texts for understanding contemporary approaches to power, knowledge, and social institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom 1971 until his death in 1984, Foucault gave public lectures at the world-famous College de France. Attended by thousands, these were seminal events in the world of French letters. Picador is proud to be publishing the lectures in thirteen volumes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The lectures comprising \u003ci\u003eAbnormal\u003c\/i\u003e begin by examining the role of psychiatry in modern criminal justice, and its method of categorizing individuals who \"resemble their crime before they commit it.\" Building on the themes of societal self-defense in \"Society Must Be Defended,\" Foucault shows how and why defining \"abnormality\" and \"normality\" were prerogatives of power in the nineteenth century. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The College de France lectures add immeasurably to our appreciation of Foucault's work and offer a unique window into his thinking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe works of \u003cb\u003eMichel Foucault \u003c\/b\u003einclude\u003ci\u003e Madness and Civilization\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe History of Sexuality\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eDiscipline and Punish\u003c\/i\u003e. Series editor \u003cb\u003eArnold I. Davidson\u003c\/b\u003e teaches at the University of Chicago and is executive editor of the journal \u003ci\u003eCritical Inquiry\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Picador USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680549441810,"sku":"9780312424053","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_cddae661-46b1-48dc-a1a3-545d5bbdab6c.jpg?v=1734922454","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/abnormal-lectures-at-the-college-de-france-1974-1975-9780312424053","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}