Foucault and the Greek origin of biopolitics

Authors

  • Rodrigo Frías Urrea Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación

Abstract

The following article examines Foucault’s definition of biopolitics,especially the problem of its origin. Foucault’s thesis is that modern biopolitics has its most remote origin in the ancient Christian pastoral work; however, there are good reasons to believe that the origin may be found in Plato, given the biopolitical direction of his thought.

Keywords:

Foucault, Plato, biopolitics, Christian pastoral work