Beneath rationalization: Elias, Foucault, and the body (2016)

Bowen Paulle, Beneath rationalization: Elias, Foucault, and the body,European Journal of Social Theory February 2016 vol. 19 no. 1 39-56

doi: 10.1177/1368431015602355

Abstract

Elias and Foucault ended up making the same core discovery about the same fundamental social process, which we term the ‘social constraints towards self-discipline’ process. We show how three distinct biographical and intellectual factors were important in guiding them toward this discovery: (1) their shared exposure to philosophical traditions associated with Heidegger’s break from Husserl; (2) their common, sustained contact with ‘clinical’ practices; and (3) the traumatic events each experienced in relation to intentional injury and death.

Keywords
clinical practices Elias embodiment Foucault Heidegger rationalization self-control trauma