Subjectified subject
From Geography
Subjectified subject
In order to understand the notion of the `subjectified subject` one has to understand the context of Michel Foucaults “discursive approach to meaning, representation and power” (Hall, 1997, p. 55) (see also discourse). In this context Michel Foucault rejects a notion of the subject in a centred position “in relation to knowledge and meaning” (ibid.). He states that subjects are limited in their agency and understanding of themselves and the world, by discursive formations, which are themselves dependent on period and cultural contexts (ibid.). He thus has developed a notion of subjects (see also subject-position) who are “ produced through discourse” (ibid., p. 56). On the one hand subjects are produced – and subjectify themselves and are subjectified by discourse- directly by attributes which are defined through the discourse (e.g. roles of men and women) and which make them personify knowledge as figures within a discursive regime. On the other hand subjects are given a place by discourse: This is again where the subject subjectifies itself and becomes subjectified (ibid.). It is about positioning oneself in the discourse at a position from which the discourse make the most sense and thus becomes meaningful to the subject. It is about a process of identifying a position constructed by the discourse. This means, in terms of Foucault that a subjectification to the “meanings, power and regulation” (ibid.) of the discourse takes place.
The process of identifying a position thus can be regarded as escape from a deterministic assumptions- since discourses are bound to time and culture and the process of identifying a position, not every individual subject is submitted or “subjected” to all discourses. Thus to reverse it and reformulate clearly: a subject is subjectified if a position for the subject has been identified to the discourse or the subject personifies knowledge within a discursive regime.
Reference
Hall, S. (1997). Where is the subject?. In S. Hall (Ed.), Representation: cultural representations and signifying practices, 31-56. Milton Keynes: Open University
Contributors
Janna Völpel s3015041 already published in october 2011 13:23, 8 May 2012 (CEST)~
