Title: On Said’s Inheritance and Resistance to Foucault’s Theory

Abstract: Said’s inheritance of Foucault’s theory has undergone the stages of following, using, and resisting (trying to surpass). Foucault’s theory of discourse and power in the 1970s was the most important source of Said’s own theory, and Orientalism is a successful example of its application. After the 1980s, Said tried to surpass the blind spot in Foucault’s pessimism and explore the viewpoint of “cultural resistance.” Said used the method of counterpoint to discuss Foucault, so that Foucault and other theorists’ independence were highlighted. At the same time, it also caused confusion and contradiction. Thus, methodological breakthroughs turn into theoretical traps.

Keywords: Edward Said, Michel Foucault, inheritance, counterpoint

Author: Tianxing Cai, Associate Professor, Department of Basic Courses, Guangdong Police College; Center of Australian Studies, Nanfang College of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.