Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 In Universal History, Everything is Singular: ‘Discourse’ 5

2 There is No ‘a priori’ that is Not Historical 22

3 Foucault’s Scepticism 37

4 Archaeology 54

5 Universalism, Universals, Epigenesis: The Beginnings of Christianity 59

6 Notwithstanding Heidegger, Man is an Intelligent Animal 66

7 The Physical and Human Sciences: Foucault’s Programme 77

8 A Sociological History of Truths: Knowledge, Power, the Set-up 92

9 Was Foucault a Corrupter of the Young? Was He the Despair of the Workers’ Movement? 111

10 Foucault and Politics 125

11 Portrait of a Samurai 135

Notes 147

Index 187

About the Author

Paul Veyne is Honorary Professor at the Collège de France.

Reviews

"Paul Veyne's quirky and involving book is an idiosyncratic andpersonal tribute, which is obviously, and movingly, deeplyfelt." The Philosophers' Magazine "Foucault is well- known as one of the most influential thinkersof the twentieth century. Writing from his profound knowledge ofthe man, Paul Veyne here vividly brings out his character andpersonality." Geoffrey Lloyd, University of Cambridge "It is fascinating to follow Paul Veyne s engagement withFoucault: he was extremely close to Foucault, as the celebratedhistory of sexuality developed as a project, and this essay, whichmixes reminiscences with argument and reflection, captures a realflavour of the intellectual excitement of those times." Simon Goldhill, University of Cambridge