Neoliberalism, which permeates all aspects of life in its economic, social, and political dimensions, undoubtedly intervenes not only in macro-structures but also at the level of individual subjectivities as a normative system and a regulatory rationality. Thus, the discourse of neoliberalism and the legitimacy of its associated power mechanisms—rooted in legal regulations and disciplinary techniques—take shape within the realm of subjectivity. One of the most significant theoretical and practical components of this foundation is, without a doubt, the promise of freedom. This talk will begin with a historical and critical analysis of the content of this promise and will argue that neoliberalism, while professing to manage freedom, actually abolishes it.
Bio:
Ferda Keskin received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Boğaziçi University and his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Philosophy from Columbia University. He worked in the Department of Philosophy at Boğaziçi University from 1994 to 2002. In 2003, he joined the Department of Comparative Literature at Istanbul Bilgi University, where he also served as the director of the Cultural Studies Graduate Program from 2003 to 2006. In 2007, he founded the Undergraduate Program in Political Economy and Social Philosophy, as well as the Graduate Program in Philosophy and Social Thought.
