Michel Foucault, The Courage of Truth and The Ethics of an Intellectual

"The Courage of Truth and The Ethics of an Intellectual" by Michel Foucault is a profound analysis of the development of Foucault's thinking about truth and power. The author, Priscila Piazentini Vieira, explores the connection between Foucault's earlier and later works, particularly concerning his reflections on ancient culture and the concept of courage in relation to truth. By evaluating Foucault's writings, interviews, and lectures from the 1970s and 1980s, a comprehensive picture of his intellectual practice and political engagement is drawn. Vieira argues that Foucault's approach to creating a new politics of truth represents a significant departure from prevailing modern notions, which often rely on the will to knowledge. The book not only offers a critical engagement with Foucault's theories but also provides an innovative definition of the intellectual, who operates at the intersection of political engagement, knowledge production, and the manifestation of truth.