Sul dispositivo, fra Foucault e Agamben

This essay discusses the concept of "dispositive" in Foucault's analysis of power and in Agamben's biopolitics. Although Agamben thinks his "dispositive" starting from the Foucault's definitions, his reconstruction brings him to very different outcomes, in line with his metaphysical interpretation of biopolitical issues. Different epistemological premises and distinct concepts of "dispositive" mean different ways of thinking an emancipation from their capture: Agamben aims to recapture the integrality of life by means of the notion of "forma-divita", whereas Foucault thought of the ancient example of parrhesia, the courage to embody the truth even at the risk of life.

This essay discusses the concept of “dispositive” in Foucault’s analysis of power and in Agamben’s biopolitics. Although Agamben thinks his “dispositive” starting from the Foucault’s definitions, his reconstruction brings him to very different outcomes, in line with his metaphysical interpretation of biopolitical issues. Different epistemological premises and distinct concepts of “dispositive” mean different ways of thinking an emancipation from their capture: Agamben aims to recapture the integrity of life by means of the notion of “forma-di-vita”, whereas Foucault thought of the ancient example of parrehsia, the courage to embody the truth, even at risk of life.