The human concept of foucault and heidegger

The aim of this study is to analyse and compare the human concept of Michel Foucault and Martin Heidegger. First, the fundamental concepts of Heidegger?s and Foucault?s philosophy are studied. Then, the similarities and discrepancies of the two philosophers understanding of being and human being are discussed within a philosophical framework. In this context, the impact of Heidegger on Foucault is introduced. Nevertheless, some other philosophers who affected the philosophical understanding of these two philosophers are included in the study. As a result of this study and research, it is being stated that there are some discrepancies as well as similarities between the human concept of the two philosohers. According to Heidegger, the problem of human being is the result of our modern life. Heidegger believes that, especially since the New Age, humans are affected by scientific and technical activities and philosophical thinking style. On the other hand, according to Foucault, the reason of emergence of human being or its not being existed until the Modern Age is questioned by using historical and archeological methods. Foucault, as Heidegger does, states that the existence of human being is ignored and domineered; and this domineering elements have begun to punish human beings especially since the beginning of the 18th century. Nevertheless, in the 20th century which is called as Modern Age, the efforts to be saved from metaphysics, the dominance of positivism, the introduction of technology in human life and the repercussions of the two world wars waged in the same century caused pessimistic ideas about the world and human beings. Both of the philosophers believe that the concept of human being is thrown into this pessimistic and insecure world. Human beings don?t have the chance to display its own existence and as a result, the future existence of human beings is determined beyond its control. Both Heidegger and Foucault, without being indifferent towards the concept of human, defines the predicament of human being in our age and aims at finding solutions to the problems and rootlessness of human beings and also saving them from being domineered.