American Power: Mary Parker Follett and Michel Foucault

Authors

  • Scott L. Pratt University of Oregon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22439/fs.v0i11.3207

Abstract

Classical pragmatism, despite its recognized concern for questions of freedom and democracy, has little to say directly about questions of power. Some commentators have found Dewey’s notion of habit to be a resource for taking up issues of power while others have argued that pragmatism does not provide a sufficiently critical tool to challenge systematic oppression. Still others have proposed to shore up pragmatism by using resources found in post-structuralism, particularly in the work of Foucault. This paper begins with this suggestion, but argues that while Foucault offers a useful starting point his conception of power fails—at least in an American context characterized by the experience of pluralism. I then argue that the pragmatist tradition, through the work of Mary P. Follett (1868-1933) has the theoretical resources to generate a conception of power that begins with the experience of pluralism.

Author Biography

Scott L. Pratt, University of Oregon

Scott L. Pratt is Professor and Head of Philosophy at the University of Oregon. Pratt is author of two books, Logic: Inquiry, Argument and Order (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010) and Native Pragmatism: Rethinking the Roots of American Philosophy (Indiana University Press, 2002) and has also co-edited four volumes including American Philosophies: An Anthology (Blackwell, 2002) and The Philosophical Writings of Cadwallader Colden (Humanity Books, 2002). He has published articles on the philosophy of pluralism, Dewey’s theory of inquiry, Josiah Royce’s logic, and on the intersection of American philosophy and the philosophies of indigenous North American peoples.

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Published

2011-02-01

How to Cite

Pratt, S. L. (2011). American Power: Mary Parker Follett and Michel Foucault. Foucault Studies, (11), 76–91. https://doi.org/10.22439/fs.v0i11.3207

Issue

Number 11: February 2011: Foucault and Pragmatism

Section

Special Issue on Foucault and Pragmatism

License

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