Authorship and Discourse Analysis

Questions and Answers

What was the author's objective in 'The Order of Things'?

To categorize various authors and their styles

To critique the works of natural historians

To analyze verbal clusters as discursive layers (correct)

To explore the concept of authorship

The author believes they correctly analyzed the role of authorship in their writings.

False

Name one of the authors mentioned that the writer discussed in 'The Order of Things'.

Buffon

The author admits to using the names of authors in a _____ and often crude fashion.

naive Signup and view all the answers

Match the following authors with their respective fields:

Buffon = Natural history Cuvier = Paleontology Ricardo = Political economy Marx = Critique of political economy Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the author in discussing Buffon and Marx?

To locate the rules forming concepts and relationships within their works Signup and view all the answers

The author intended to create a genealogical table of Buffon and Linnaeus.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the objections raised against the author's work regarding the comparison of naturalists?

The objection was that the author created monstrous families by linking disparate names like Buffon and Linnaeus, and placing Cuvier next to Darwin. Signup and view all the answers

The author wanted to determine the functional conditions of specific __________ practices.

discursive Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their associated intellectual concerns or criticisms they faced:

Buffon = Criticized for inadequate description Marx = Criticized for not capturing totality of thought Cuvier = Placed next to Darwin despite differences Darwin = Linked to Cuvier contrary to observed ties Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Authorial Function and Critique

The concept of authorship remains a complex topic, essential for understanding discourse.
A need for reevaluation arises from potential misrepresentations in previous writings.

Analysis in "The Order of Things"

The aim was to explore verbal clusters as layers of discourse beyond traditional categories (book, work, author).
The analysis included themes like natural history and political economy without a comparable focus on authors or their works.

Oversight and Importance of Authorial Context

The use of author names (e.g., Buffon, Cuvier, Ricardo) was at times naive, leading to ambiguity.
Criticism emphasized the inadequate representation of authorship and the complexity of thinkers like Marx and Buffon.

Critique and Misinterpretations

Objections arose regarding the simplistic portrayal of figures, such as the juxtaposition of Buffon and Linnaeus or Cuvier and Darwin.
Critics claimed that combined mentions disregarded familial and intellectual connections among authors.

Intended Approach vs. Criticism

The goal was not to create a genealogical framework of intellectuals but to uncover the rules behind certain concepts and relationships in their works.
The discourse focused on understanding specific practices rather than establishing rigid intellectual families or classifications.

Description

This quiz delves into the complex concept of authorship within discourse, particularly as explored in Michel Foucault's 'The Order of Things'. It examines the critique of previous misrepresentations of authors and the oversight of their contexts. Test your understanding of how these themes intertwine with natural history and political economy.