This text examines the theses on Foucaultian biopolitics by Giorgio Agamben and Antonio Negri. The text discusses the attempt of the first author to place biopolitics in the sphere of the exercise of sovereignty, as conceived by Carl Schmitt, and to recognize the “camp” as the modern biopolitical paradigm; secondly, the text criticizes the thesis of Agamben according to which western politics hides a structural biopolitical vocation that the Aristotelian distinction between the spheres of zoé and bios makes clear, because – according to the Italian author – this distinction is the premise for the “inclusive exclusion” of biological life from political life. Regarding Negri, the text discusses his attempt to reestablish the prominence of productive work in the field of “biopolitical processes” and to assert on this basis that today it is no more possible to distinguish material and immaterial production from reproduction of life and its various physical, affective and social expressions. Furthermore, a critical analysis is made of Negri’s attempt to place Foucaultian subjectivation practices in the dimension of postmodern “biopolitical production.” More generally, the text points out the unwillingness of Agamben and Negri to recognize the specificity both of biopolitics and ethical practices, which, on the contrary, Foucault clearly distinguishes from both relationships of power and productive activities.

Biopolitica, sovranità, lavoro: Foucault tra vita nuda e vita creativa

MARZOCCA, Ottavio
2008-01-01

Abstract

This text examines the theses on Foucaultian biopolitics by Giorgio Agamben and Antonio Negri. The text discusses the attempt of the first author to place biopolitics in the sphere of the exercise of sovereignty, as conceived by Carl Schmitt, and to recognize the “camp” as the modern biopolitical paradigm; secondly, the text criticizes the thesis of Agamben according to which western politics hides a structural biopolitical vocation that the Aristotelian distinction between the spheres of zoé and bios makes clear, because – according to the Italian author – this distinction is the premise for the “inclusive exclusion” of biological life from political life. Regarding Negri, the text discusses his attempt to reestablish the prominence of productive work in the field of “biopolitical processes” and to assert on this basis that today it is no more possible to distinguish material and immaterial production from reproduction of life and its various physical, affective and social expressions. Furthermore, a critical analysis is made of Negri’s attempt to place Foucaultian subjectivation practices in the dimension of postmodern “biopolitical production.” More generally, the text points out the unwillingness of Agamben and Negri to recognize the specificity both of biopolitics and ethical practices, which, on the contrary, Foucault clearly distinguishes from both relationships of power and productive activities.
2008
978-88-07-10437-4
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11586/53462
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