20 and 21 September 2024. DePaul University. Chicago, USA

Title: What if Foucault had survived AIDS?
Abstract: In this paper, I explore the concept of subjectivity as developed in the work of French philosopher Michel Foucault. I establish a direct connection between this concept and the governance of people living with HIV, as well as the processes of subjectivation. I highlight the analytical potential of Foucault’s theoretical framework for studying the governance of human behavior in post-disciplinary societies. I utilize late Foucault’s ideas as a theoretical framework to examine HIV from a biopolitical perspective that fully considers the processes of subjectification experienced by HIV-positive individuals. First, I introduce the concept of subjectification from Michel Foucault’s perspective. Second, I demonstrate the direct relevance of these processes for HIV-positive individuals.