Michel Foucault's concept of
Parrhesia and techniques of the self are based around the idea that the ascetic practices of
Parrhesia implied specific spiritual exercises of self, such as the examination of conscience.
In order to fulfil this mission, the church being prophetic needs to speak the truth boldly (
parrhesia) even if it goes against the rich, the powerful, or the dominant political class.
Parrhesia, 2, 1-28, Retrieved from www.parrhesiajournal.org,(2007).
Parrhesia: Ancient and Modern Perspectives on Freedom of Speech
Among his recent publications are "Translation and Globalization" (2018), "Chinese Beginnings of Cosmopolitanism: A Genealogical Critique of Tianxia Guan" (2017), "Tao,
Parrhesia, and the Chinese Intellectual" (2015), and "Is the World Decentered?
Antonio Autiero, an emeritus professor at the University of Minister in Germany Autiero emphasized the importance for theologians of speaking with
parrhesia, or boldness, and in practicing perseverance.
without bitterness or fear." That Amy has never heard of
parrhesia is not her problem.
Ironically, "moral theology," or the ancient practices from which the discipline emerged, has a rich heritage of biblical, political, and ecclesial power speech of prophetic indictment,
parrhesia, deliberation, and of course, paraenesis or traditional moral exhortation.
When the Apostles were tempted to let themselves be crippled by danger and threats, they joined in prayer to implore
parrhesia: "And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness" (Acts 4:29).
See also Peters (2003), "Truth-telling as an Educational Practice of the Self: Foucault,
Parrhesia and the Ethics of Subjectivity." Foucault's history of confession since the Middle Ages included an interest in "judicial confession, particularly the inquisition; the penitential confession; and confession of sins against the sixth and ninth commandments." Elden (2005: 27) remarks how Foucault "notes how in the eighteenth century mechanisms of confession are deployed in the crusade against childhood masturbation--children must confess to their family, to their family doctor, or to doctors specialising in sexuality.