Scientific classification

From Geography

Scientific classification is one of the concept that Michel Foucault came up with. 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.

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, ...Foucault viewed the human schiences as a form of poer that categorised and controlled individuals (Markula & Pringle, 2006, p. 25). Different ways of knowledge were constructed by humans sciences. As a result of thatpeople 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, ... in the process people become objectified (Markula & Pringle, 2006, p. 25). 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