Discuss Foucault’s perceived relationship between the concepts of knowledge and power.

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He contends that it is not the acquisition of knowledge that gives one power. Instead, knowledge is already always deeply invested with power in such a way that it must be said that “power is knowledge.” Thus, in Foucault’s analysis, knowledge is never separate from power but is instead a specific means for exercising power. Power appears in its most potent form when successfully translated into systems of “knowledge” and thus removed from reflection under the veil of obvious truths. The inseparability of power and knowledge is so thoroughgoing, according to Foucault, that he often conjoins the two into the phrase power/knowledge.

Sociology

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