Power, knowledge, and breaking through existing structures. French philosopher Michel Foucault (1926-1984) wrote about how our identity is connected to the (power) structures we find ourselves in, such as a university, a family, or a heteronormative society. How is our identity shaped by the systems we move through? And above all: can we break through existing hierarchies?
During the lecture Foucault Now!, Prof. Dr. Marli Huijer will discuss Michel Foucault's theories of power, his concept of parrhesia (truth-telling), and our centuries-long fixation on identities. He doesn't see power and hierarchy as something imposed from above; rather, it's something inherent in all of us, something we ascribe to ourselves, and which we therefore also see reflected in our daily interactions, such as language. How can his work help us look more critically at ourselves and the world around us today? Can we look beyond the present and achieve true freedom?
Moderated by Lenya Slierenrecht. This lecture is organized by Studium Generale.
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 4:00-5:30 PM (doors open at 3:40 PM)
Location: Erasmus Pavilion (NL)
Tickets and further information: Erasmus University Rotterdam (free, reservations strongly recommended)
Copyright (C) 2026 Marli Huijer.