On critical genealogy

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-6746.2025.1.47435

Keywords:

Genealogy, Critical Theory, Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, Abolition Feminism

Abstract

Today most critical theorists who deploy history use a genealogical method forged by Nietzsche and Foucault. This genealogical approach now dominates historically inflected critique. But not all genealogical writings today, nor all philosophical debates surrounding genealogy, advance the goals of critical philosophy. It is crucial now that we assess the value of genealogical critiques. The proper metric against which to evaluate such work is whether it contributes to transforming ourselves, others, and society in a valuable way. In this article, I propose that we use the term “critical genealogy” to identify those genealogical practices that positively nourish our activity and, thereby, advance the ambition of critical philosophy.

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Author Biographies

Bernard E. Harcourt, Columbia University, New York, United States of America.

Author of Cooperation: A Political, Economics, and Social Theory (Columbia University Press, 2023) and Critique & Praxis: A Critical Philosophy of Illusions, Values, and Action (Columbia University Press, 2020). He is responsible for the Pléiade Gallimard edition of Michel Foucault's Surveiller et punir, as well as several of his Courses, including most recently Nietzsche. Cours, conférences et travaux (EHESS/Gallimard/Seuil, 2024). Columbia University (NY/USA) and École des hautes études en sciences sociales (Paris/FR). He is also a lawyer and received the Norman J. Redlich Capital Defense Distinguished Service Award from the New York City Bar Association for his representation of people on death row. He is the Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law and Political Science at Columbia University. Director of Studies at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Paris.

Augusto Jobim do Amaral, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Full Professor of the Graduate Program in Criminal Sciences and the Graduate Program in Philosophy, both at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). PhD in Contemporary Studies (Political Science, History of Ideas and Comparative International Studies) from the University of Coimbra (Portugal); PhD, Master's and Specialist in Criminal Sciences from the PUCRS. Research fellowship (2017-2018) at the University of Malaga (UMA/Spain) in the area of Theory and Philosophy of Law, at the Open Chair of Law and Literature. Research fellowship (2018-2019) at the Università Degli Studi di Padova/ITA in Political Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), funded by the Coimbra Group Scholarship Program for Young Professors and Researchers from Latin American Universities. Visiting Professor (2022) at the University of Seville/ESP, funded by the Internationalization Programme of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES - PUCRS/PrInt). Visiting Professor (2024) at the Università degli Studi di Salerno, at the Cattedra di Filosofia del Diritto, funded by the Eramus+ Program. Leads the CNPq-registered research group Criminology, Punitive Culture and Philosophical Criticism, with experience in criminology, law, political philosophy and the history of ideas, with an emphasis on topics such as biopolitics, technopolitics, penal culture, punitive violence, human rights, social control and public safety; criminal law and criminal procedure.

Samuel Medeiros Andreatta, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (FND). Lawyer accredited by the OAB RJ (n 229526). He was a CNPQ extension scholarship student at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in the Drug Policy and Human Rights Research Group at FND-UFRJ. Master in Criminal Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). PhD student in Criminal Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Member of the Political Criminology Research Group coordinated by Dr. Augusto Jobim do Amaral.

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2025-05-27

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E. Harcourt, B., Jobim do Amaral, A., & Medeiros Andreatta, S. (2025). On critical genealogy. Veritas (Porto Alegre), 70(1), e47435. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-6746.2025.1.47435

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