Care of the Self and Ethics for the Other: From a Genealogy of Asceticisms to the Critique of the Subject

Project Information

MSCALI

Grant agreement ID: 101025148

DOI

10.3030/101025148

Project closed

EC signature date 23 March 2021

Start date 1 January 2022

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 212 933,76

EU contribution

€ 212 933,76

Coordinated by

ROYAL HOLLOWAY AND BEDFORD NEW COLLEGE
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MSCALI (Care of the Self and Ethics for the Other: From a Genealogy of Asceticisms to the Critique of the Subject)

Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2023-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Foucault notably positioned the Orient as the origin of the Occident, yet largely overlooked non-Western thought as a source of alternative perspectives on asceticism. Despite brief mentions of Chinese ascetic practices, Foucault failed to integrate non-Western paradigms into Western discourse effectively. Consequently, his discussion of ascetic subjectivation remained limited to transgressive transformations, neglecting alternative forms of subjectivation present in non-Western traditions.

This research on asceticism is important for society. First, it enhances cultural understanding: by examining ascetic practices across different cultures and historical periods, the research promotes a deeper understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and traditions. This can foster greater cultural empathy and appreciation. Second, it manifests critical reflection: the study encourages critical reflection on the dominant Eurocentric narratives surrounding asceticism. By questioning and expanding these narratives to include non-Western perspectives, the research promotes a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of asceticism. Third, it develops ethical considerations: understanding different forms of asceticism and their implications for subjectivation and self-other relations can lead to discussions about alternative ways of conceptualizing ethical practices and relationships within society.

The research aims to broaden the dialogue by incorporating non-Western perspectives on asceticism, thereby enriching our understanding of subjectivation and self-other relations.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

1. Publications
Monograph
Li, M. 2023. Le corps ascétique (The Ascetic Body), Paris: Éditions Kimé.
Articles
Li, M. 2023. “Techniques of the Self: Nourishing Life as Art of Living.” Philosophy East and West, 73 (3): 762-771.
Li, M. 2023. “The Biopolitics of Nourishing Life: Daoism as Environmental Philosophy.” Asian Studies 11 (2): 95-116.
Li, M. “论晚期福柯自我修养的伦理学意义.” (“On Ethics of Care of the Self in Foucault”) 道德与文明 (Morality and Civilisation). Accepted.
Li, M. “The Ascetic and the Political in Neo-Confucian Self-Cultivation.” China Media Research. Accepted.
Li, M. “Transgression and Transcendence: Ascesis in Foucault.” Human Affairs. Revised and resubmitted.
Li, M. “Rethinking Asceticism: A Physio-Psychological Perspective.” Religions. Revised and resubmitted.

2. Impact
2023, On Asceticism (conference), ENS, Paris.
2023, Philosophy of Self-Cultivation (conference and art exhibition), the Senate House, London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5w20mwWd14&t=2s.
2023, “Listening, Emptying, and Nourishing: Reconnecting with Non-Human Beings” (ecologist aesthetics essay). KUA: https://pressebooks.forma.org.uk/products/kua-02-displacement.
2024, “60 Women’s Stories in the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomacy” featured topic by Chinese news agency The Paper.

To conclude, the results of the project are as follows: Evaluation of Subjectivity in Eastern and Western Asceticism Theories (O1): The research evaluated subjectivity within Eastern and Western theories of asceticism, aiming to incorporate non-European asceticisms into Foucault's genealogical framework. It examined mechanisms of subjectivation in Chinese asceticism theories, particularly contributions from modern Chinese scholars like Mou Zongsan. Differences in critiques of the subject between European and Chinese asceticism were analyzed, focusing on implications for the self-other relation. Analysis of the Relationship between Self-Care and Ethical Concern for Others (O2): Research delved into the relationship between self-care and an ethics for the other, considering existing dialogues on asceticism in the Chinese language that already integrate European theories, including Kant's and the Frankfurt School's critical theory. The inclusion of Foucault's notion of the self was explored to enrich discussions about ethics and care within this dialogue. Experimentation with Applicability and Practical Implications (O3): The study experimented with the applicability of the results, exploring challenges and opportunities arising from combining insights from both European and Chinese traditions of asceticism. It investigated the potential for asceticism to regain a function of "spiritual exercise" in contemporary contexts, particularly within the realm of psychotherapy. Designing and implementing practices and procedures to apply a "hybrid" theory that incorporates both Eastern and Western insights were considered, highlighting the need for innovative approaches in contemporary contexts.
Overall, the research achieved its objectives by addressing pertinent questions derived from each objective, leading to insights into the intersection of Eastern and Western theories of asceticism and their implications for subjectivity, ethics, and practical applications in contemporary contexts.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Dr Manhua Li has created two impactful events for knowledge transfer and exchange to deliver the results of this research project, which were open to the public both in Europe and the UK. The first one, “On Asceticism” conference was held at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, on the 15th and 16th of May 2023. The conference was held in both French and English, with the public coming from different regions in France, as well as attendants from other parts of Europe, within and beyond the academic circle. It was free of charge for the public. The second one, the “Philosophy of Self-Cultivation” conference and exhibition was held at Royal Holloway College University of London (RHUL, the Stewart House) on the 22nd and the 23rd of June 2023. The conference is an important, impactful, and engaging part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship awarded to Royal Holloway College and Dr. Manhua Li. The research project, “From the Care of the Self to the Critique of the Subject,” involved both European and Chinese philosophies of self-cultivation as resources for developing a synthetic critique of the subject in contemporary terms. The idea behind the conference in London was to bring together 25 experts from diverse disciplinary, cultural and gender backgrounds to discuss self-cultivation. Instead of focusing on the linear evolution of some self-cultivating traditions in Western philosophy, the goal was to emphasise the multivocality and mutability of self-cultivation in the global milieu of philosophy today — within and beyond the Western traditions. The conference discussed self-cultivation as both a philosophy and a practice in contexts such as artistic and cultural creations, health and wellbeing, ethical and political engagements. In such a spirit of practising and diversifying philosophy, the conference was held in parallel with an art exhibition. This interdisciplinary event was open to public, free of charge, and in person.

Poster 1 - Conference organised in Paris May 2023

Poster 2 - Conference organised in London June 2023