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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 16h

PS: On Michel Foucault's birthday, here is my fresh article about Madness and Civilization. If you read one thing I've written, please let it be this. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Madness and Civilization: The Stigma of the Hospital

We discuss Michel Foucault's criticisms of institutionalization and its relation to how society sees mentally ill people.

the-philosophers-shirt.com

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

Michel Foucault is a philosopher I hold in my heart, and one who currently greatly influences my own ideas on how we should (and shouldn't) treat each other. Happy birthday on #philsky .

C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

I think about the cruelty that was inherent within this system, even after the "truly bad" places were closed at the end of the last century. Should people on the worst days of their lives be punished?

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

After having a series of breakdowns, I ended up hospitalized several times, at several facilities. There was an element of punishment to every experience, more than the rest that would have been helpful. When I revisit those experiences, I do not think so much about the "craziness" of the patients.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

As I've grown older, I realize the importance of his work on Madness and Civ., as well as his examination of power structures. I wonder, sometimes, about the institution and its relation to who is considered mad or mentally ill, and the aspect of punishment tied to the institution.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

I can relate to him in a lot of ways, as he put his philosophy on the streets, being an activist against racism and oppression in the most practical of ways. Reading about him in Lovers of Philosophy also humanized him, as he struggled with his identity and others' perception of it.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

It is Michel Foucault's birthday today. I did a lot of research on Foucault recently for an upcoming blog article (coming today!) for The Philosopher's Shirt. It's interesting to see him as one of the last of the rockstar philosophers of the 20th century.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 17h

"What Is It Like to Be a Bat?" is a good place to start, but Derrida and Foucault also touch on this. We can approximate, work in similes to explain our experience, or way of being, but it is always an approximation.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 18h

Thank you so much. I would be delighted to. Email is still an awesome medium for lengthier correspondence. I really wish that the art of letter writing was acceptable still. My ancient heart. Thank you so very much!

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 18h

It's reminiscent of what Nagel suggests, that we cannot ascribe any objectivity to subjective experience. One person can never viscerally know what another person experiences, in the same way as that other person. I think it is similar in this case.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 18h

While interesting, I think the subjective lived experience of women is often that of horror due to the violence we experience from day to day, and the violence often inherent in our own bodies. It is something that can only be truly understood as you live it.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 21h

I think women know horror well. The female body is a haunted house of its own, with expectations attached to its dark, foreboding rooms. Sometimes, it houses life, sometimes blood and pain. Horror can be as simple as aging or looking in the mirror.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 21h

I have honestly been considering this for years. When I lived in Macon, I considered doing philosophy seminars specifically for people who were not college educated. I firmly believe philosophy is for everyone. I would be happy to talk about this further!

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

And of course I forgot to tag #philsky

C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

Today is Hannah Arendt's birthday. The first article I wrote for The Philosopher's Shirt was about her concept of the "banality of evil," and the movie/musical/movie, "The Producers." Take a moment to read it today and reflect on your own power.

the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

How to Laugh Evil in the Face--with Philosophy!

With the U.S. elections finally decided, we've become unnerved. Times seem more uncertain than ever. Some of us are genuinely afraid for our future, for our friends, and for ourselves. And this is leg...

the-philosophers-shirt.com

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

That will be awesome! I look forward to seeing more merch!

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

The one with the top hat is the cutest. I need a top hat too!

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

Oooh, I am in love! Looks great and super cute!

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

Oh dear God. This is a thing now?

C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

Her idea of the "banality of evil" is very, very relevant today. And it was the first article I wrote for The Philosopher's Shirt, a company I am lucky to work for, as a person without a PhD (yet).

Thank you so much for sharing. We should be listening to her more.

C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

And this is why we love us some Nietzsche. It's also true in writing. Clarity should take precedence over pretension. You do not need lengthy, florid sentences to convey a point and convey it well. Cheers and thanks for sharing.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

This sounds incredibly good. Reading about power structures like this in Foucault helped cement some of my ideas, as well as The New Jim Crow. This is on my list.

Bloomsbury Philosophy @bloomsburyphilo.bsky.social · 1d

Rethink the philosophy of police power with @melaynakay.bsky.social's 'A Philosophical History of Police Power'.

"Goes a long way toward opening our eyes to what the police really are." (Crime Media Culture)

➡️ Now in paperback!
Order: https://bit.ly/3W2OK8E
Preview: https://bit.ly/4okTH8U
#philsky

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

This is exciting. It's definitely a topic that is hot today, as it should be. I will be giving this one a repost.

C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

I'd like to add here, for those who don't know, that I write philosophy for a popular audience. These are not for conferences. Ahem.

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C.M. Black @foucaultu.bsky.social · 1d

I mean, it's just 47. I think we all have our tics, though. I sometimes latch onto certain words and will even say them a lot, sprinkling my conversation with "frenetic" or "over the top" or my favorite words of the day. It's also hard to give objectivity to one's own editing. Wishing you the best!

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