On the 15th of October this year, we think of Michel Foucault, born a hundred years ago in Poitiers, France, a gay philosopher, psychologist, historian and literary critic.
Although he was a continental philosopher, if you read him carefully and follow his interviews you'll see he thought and presented his arguments analytically and logically.
Continental and analytical philosophy are not as poles apart as often depicted. Just because there aren't any incomprehensible squiggles doesn't mean it's not 'logic' or analytic.
Foucault challenges us to think critically, to challenge our institutions and to think of better ways to build a healthy, compassionate, empathic society.
Yes he did briefly belong to the French Communist Party (although it wasn't his idea to join in the first place) but he wasn't particularly active in it and left it because he found them too bigoted, especially against gay people and Jews. He supported gay rights and human rights in general.
So one hundred years on let's celebrate this genius by reading his books, which are available online. Go check them out!
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