60 pages • 2 hours read
Michel FoucaultThe Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1966A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Order of Things by Michel Foucault explores the historical development of the human sciences, focusing on the shift from the Classical episteme of the 17th and 18th centuries to the 19th-century episteme. Foucault examines changes in the frameworks that Western societies used to validate knowledge and truth, analyzing fields such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. He investigates how these transitions have influenced the ways in which contemporary human sciences operate, challenging the traditional notion of historical progress. Through this archaeological methodology, Foucault underscores the concept that shifts in knowledge production stem from changes in epistemes rather than from a linear advancement in human understanding.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Order of Things by Michel Foucault offers a profound exploration of human sciences, praised for its intellectual depth and innovative approach to epistemology. Reviews highlight its complexity, requiring diligent study, which can be challenging for some readers. Overall, it's a pivotal text in understanding shifts in knowledge paradigms.
Who Should Read The Order of Things?
Readers who enjoy The Order of Things by Michel Foucault typically have an interest in philosophy, intellectual history, and social sciences. Comparable to fans of Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions and Edward Said's Orientalism, they appreciate deep analytical discourse on the evolution of ideas and systems of thought.