summary of Discourse and Truth: Parrēsia by Michel Foucault:

Discourse and Truth: Parrēsia is a collection of lectures delivered by Michel Foucault at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983, in which he explores the ancient Greek concept of parrēsia, meaning “free speech” or “frankness.” Foucault uses parrēsia as an entry point to examine the relationship between truth-telling, subjectivity, and power. He shows that parrēsia was not merely about speaking openly but carried a strong ethical dimension: the parrhesiast is someone who speaks the truth despite danger, risking their safety, reputation, or even life to fulfill a duty to honesty. In ancient Greek democracy, parrēsia was a political practice, enabling citizens to challenge authority and speak critically in public life, but Foucault emphasizes that it also extended into philosophy, where it became an existential practice of self-formation and courage—philosophy itself as a way of life based on truth-telling. By analyzing figures like Socrates and the Cynics, Foucault demonstrates how parrēsia reveals the tensions between democracy and authority, freedom and responsibility, courage and vulnerability. Unlike modern liberal notions of free speech as a right, parrēsia was framed as a dangerous obligation, requiring personal risk and ethical courage. Through this exploration, Foucault connects his broader concerns with power, knowledge, and subjectivity, highlighting how the act of truth-telling disrupts structures of domination but also creates new relations between individuals and communities. Ultimately, Discourse and Truth offers a meditation on how the ancient practice of parrēsia can illuminate the politics of truth in modern societies, raising questions about who can speak truth, under what conditions, and at what cost.