Reading path · discussion guide
Foucault: On the Genealogy of Ethics — reading guide
Use this guide to frame a careful reading, distinguish an author's claims from the group's questions, and keep disagreement productive.
Three passes
Read for structure before judgment.
This guide does not replace the source text. It helps a group make the argument, its vocabulary, and its unresolved tensions easier to examine together.
- 01
Before reading
List the central terms, the historical setting, and one question the title already raises.
- 02
During reading
Mark the claim, the evidence offered for it, and the passages where the argument changes direction.
- 03
After reading
Compare interpretations, identify what remains unproven, and record the strongest disagreement.
Discussion prompt
What would count as a real counterexample?
A precise counterexample tests the reach of an argument more effectively than agreement or dismissal alone.