A History of Sexuality or An Archaeology of Psychoanalysis?

Abstract

The article discusses Foucault's conceptual shift that occurred between 1966 and 1976, concerning the role of psychoanalysis in the history of Western knowledge. In the 60's psychoanalysis still represented a revolutionary invention that curved the space of the classical episteme and hermeneutical interpretation, whereas in the 70's it was linked to confessional techniques and thus becameone of the main contemporary strategies in the normalisation of sexuality. The article then discusses Foucault's thesis concerning confession and shows therein the deadlock in his reductionism that consequently created the opposition between the project of a history of sexuality and an archaeology of psychoanalysis.