Scientific classification
From Geography
Contents |
Problem of the Subject
Scientific classification is one of the divisions of the Problem of the Subject, created by Michel Foucault. He defined three modes of objectification: scientific classification, dividing practices and subjectification. These three modes are organizing principles which explain how human beings become subjects, by the influence of discourse, knowledge and power.
Scientific Classification
In the proces of scientific classification the structuring of discourses into disciplines takes place. This mean that scientific disciplines were created, for example biology, urban planning and geography. This caused that different truths were being produced (Kramsch, personal communication, 2012).
The range of scientific disciplines was raising, it had the power to categorize and control inviduals. Different ways of knowledge were constructed by humans sciences. As a result of that people see themselves as objects and subjects that are part of the scientific knowledge. For example, sick people are examined by different tests. If the results of the tests statistically match with norms and standard deviations, people can be categorised in some selected groups. Hereby worldwide universal classification of people arose, and people became objectified (Markula & Pringle, 2006). Bodies become anatomical machines, and according to Markula & Pringle (2006, p. 25) ... subjects become bojects under the regime of medical truth. This means that different groups can be distinguished, for example diabetics.
The developments in scientific classification thus had many impacts, for example on sports.
References
- Kramsch, O.T. (2012) Spatial Action: Spatial turn 1 Michel Foucault.
- Markula, P., Pringle, R. (2006). Foucault, Sport and Exercise: Power, nowledge and transforming the self. Routledge, Abingdon Oxon.
Contributors
- Page created by Malou van Woerkum, 17-10-2012
- Page enhanced by Lieke Vogels, 24 October 2012, 14:30
