Foucault's Unpublished Manuscript on Hermaphrodites Discovered
A previously unpublished 116-page manuscript by Michel Foucault on the judicial treatment of hermaphroditism has been discovered in an archive acquired by an unspecified institution. The text, which constitutes a history of legal and medical approaches to intersex individuals, is contextualized by a 1614 quote from Jean Riolan's "Discours sur les hermaphrodites," where he describes such individuals as monsters contravening nature's division of humanity into male and female. Foucault's work challenges the historical view that hermaphrodites were considered double beings, a mix of male and female, rather than individuals with ambiguous reproductive organs. The discovery offers new insight into Foucault's early research on sexuality and power.
Key facts
- Michel Foucault wrote a 116-page manuscript on the judicial treatment of hermaphroditism.
- The manuscript was found in an archive acquired by an unspecified institution.
- Jean Riolan's 1614 text 'Discours sur les hermaphrodites' is cited, calling hermaphrodites monsters.
- Historically, hermaphrodites were seen as double beings mixing male and female natures.
- Foucault's work provides a history of legal and medical approaches to intersex individuals.
- The discovery sheds light on Foucault's early research on sexuality and power.
Entities
Artists
- Michel Foucault
- Jean Riolan
Locations
- Paris
- France