(c) Explain Foucault 's view on "the repressive hypothesis". Discuss whether he believes there is, or has been, repression, what he wants to investigate, and the formation of sexual subjects. Provide examples. Over the years, the society has come across various views of sexuality. The views on sexuality has moved from a period of being freely expressive and open about our sex and sexuality to a period of repression and hypocrisy of such expressions. The repressive views were seen to arise in the 17th century. Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, argues that the history of sexuality since the 17th century has maintained a repressive view, which Foucault refers to as the “repressive hypothesis” (SparkNotes Editors, n.d.). This essay will
…show more content…
In accordance with the thesis of “trading-up”, Robert Nozick designed a thought experiment known as “experience machine”. This experience machine created an illusion of the kind of life one desires. Nozick, then, asks the following questions: should you plug into the machine which preprograms your life experiences and would you plug in to the machine. Nozick believes that most people wouldn’t decide to plug into the experience machine, proving that there are other things the humans value over their own pleasure. Similarly, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind implements a memory-wiping procedure, in which characters such as Joel, Clementine and Mary are given the possibility of erasing unwanted memories of the past (mainly bad memories) (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). In the film, we see that Clementine has erased all memories of her relationship with Joel. Joel decides to do the same. The film follows Joel’s journey. As the film progresses, we see the Joel does not want to lose the precious memories of Clementine. Ultimately, the process we see in the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows a reverse concept from the “experience machine” (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). The experience machine gives you the experience of your choice, whereas the memory erasing procedure in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind allows you to take away experiences that you have kept in your memory (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). In all, the same underlying message is given by both Nozick’s experience machine and the erasing procedure in Eternal Sunshine. Nozick says that people wouldn’t decide to plug into a machine to control or program their experiences because there are more to pleasure; similarly, in the film it is shown that even if you try to erase a past memory, the impulses, instinct and emotions will be
In accordance with the thesis of “trading-up”, Robert Nozick designed a thought experiment known as “experience machine”. This experience machine created an illusion of the kind of life one desires. Nozick, then, asks the following questions: should you plug into the machine which preprograms your life experiences and would you plug in to the machine. Nozick believes that most people wouldn’t decide to plug into the experience machine, proving that there are other things the humans value over their own pleasure. Similarly, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind implements a memory-wiping procedure, in which characters such as Joel, Clementine and Mary are given the possibility of erasing unwanted memories of the past (mainly bad memories) (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). In the film, we see that Clementine has erased all memories of her relationship with Joel. Joel decides to do the same. The film follows Joel’s journey. As the film progresses, we see the Joel does not want to lose the precious memories of Clementine. Ultimately, the process we see in the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows a reverse concept from the “experience machine” (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). The experience machine gives you the experience of your choice, whereas the memory erasing procedure in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind allows you to take away experiences that you have kept in your memory (Moral Theory at the Movies, n.d.). In all, the same underlying message is given by both Nozick’s experience machine and the erasing procedure in Eternal Sunshine. Nozick says that people wouldn’t decide to plug into a machine to control or program their experiences because there are more to pleasure; similarly, in the film it is shown that even if you try to erase a past memory, the impulses, instinct and emotions will be