the cultivated subject

[Insurgo]

I think it's interesting that many of the posts here talk about a divide between the mind and the body when talking about self cultivation. Surely neither one is subordinate to the other. If the mind is left to atrophy then the body suffers and vice versa. Therefore the cultivated subject needs to work on each aspect of themselves equally.

Also, it’s interesting that so far the idea of self-cultivation has been used to describe a wholly selfish pursuit.  The suggestions of studying, exercise and meditation have all been used in the context of self-advancement/ personal gain. It’s worth noting that many forms of meditation, including techniques found in Tibetan Buddhism and transcendental meditation, are intended to be practiced in the service of humanity as a whole. Simply put, through advancing individually we are able to move humanity forward as a civilised species. In those traditions self-cultivation is almost a form of self-sacrifice as practitioners give up material possessions and personal freedom in their attempt to benefit mankind.

[sberry]

I also agree with the comments made, however would argue that the mind and the body are one. ‘Bettering yourself’ by leading a healthy lifestyle in terms of going to the gym and dieting as many have mentioned involves more of a daily conscious mental restraint and resisting; and although the gym is a mostly physical activity, it is also a concentration of the mind and using it to push the body harder to better yourself. I think that what Foucault means is that when it comes to cultivating one’s self,  it’s the things that push our boundaries and comfort zones, whether is be opening up our minds to different views and debates, or pushing our physical boundaries.
I also agree with Insurgo, in that self-cultivation is not a 'selfish pursuit', as Foucault has said in his understandings of self-cultivation in Greek times "...because in teaching people too occupy themselves with themselves, he [Socrates] teaches them to occupy themselves with the city." (Martin, L.H. et al, 1988)

[Tea and Cake]

I think people have made some interesting comments, mostly of the same ethos. Yet I would like to agree with Insurgo, in that most people have focused on self-cultivation as a "wholly selfish persuit", when it can be seen as much more... Granted Foucoult does imply that the care of oneself is important, however he also explains that "It does not mean simply being interested in oneself, nor does it mean having a certain tendency to self-attachment or self fascination. Epimeleia heautou is a very powerful word in Greek which means working on or being concerned with something." Thus meaning it can be a catalyst which stimulates cultivation on a greater scale, benefiting others as well as yourself. Foucoult gives the example "The responsibility of a monarch for his fellow citizens was also epimeleia heautou. That which a doctor does in the course of caring for a patient is epimeleia heautou. Which also correlates with Insurgo's reference to the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Perhaps if we all adopted such practices and focused more on others and less on oursleves, we would live in a less competitive, less aggressive and more considerate society. 

[jessbeat]

I think sometime we are so concerned with how to better ourselves we do take on aspects of the Californian self but these do not always 'better' ourselves. I will never understand why the concept of plastic surgery is considered to make anyone better then they already are. Some may say that it helps with their confidence, but at the end of the day if you have issues with your body it comes from the mind therefore that is the place to begin because if you chose to 'correct' one part of your body where does it end?

[aj89]

I feel that the cultivation of the self is rather like constant re-conditioning of the self. Through self help books one is constantly assessing and improving themselves with external knowledge. I believe the use of self help books has to be more or less constant to keep the desired affects on the self, rather like an m-o-t servicing on a car.

[Jolin]

I believed that cultivated subject refers to both the physical and mental way to care of self. The physical way of caring self such as technologies of the self, caring health and working on the appearance. The example for mental way of caring of self is education. When people are seeking opportunities to educated themselves, they are trying to increase their knowledge. It is a kind of mind care of self. Besides, other activities such as keep writing diary is also a kind of mind care of self. Writing diary is a kind of self evaluation process. It also contributes to people spirt extension.

[Timeless]

'Epimeleia heautou - a sort of work, an activity, it implies attention, knowledge, technique'. This is something that people have to decide whether or not they actually want to do. On the other hand there are so many signs and messages sent to us, both consciously and subconsciously, from society as to how we should better ourselves. This all relates to our images. We buy things and do certain things to reinforce the image that we want other people to see of ourselves. On a less superficial level, society also tells us how to get to a certain position, we have to work for this, either physically or mentally, or both. We need to work on both aspects to become better and allow us to make a better contribution to society.

[Blair]

In response to Jolin's comment I agree, we most certainly are cultivating ourselves through academic knowledge, we seek to better ourselves through education and may become someone we were not at the beginning through the depth of knowledge encountered. We write essays this forms a relationship with ourselves and the work of others by quoting academics and we train ourselves to govern what we write in our essays as we are aware of the gaze of another, in this case the marker.

[emily]

I think we can extend this to using our minds to take care of ourself as well. It is like the Christian idea of self-exploration, we need to not only master our own passions in order to self-improve, but also treat ourselves as something to be examined. For example, by chatting to friends about a problem and sharing feelings, we are thinking about ourselves. Christians believe in a more passive approach to the ancient Greeks, and therefore our minds are highly important in looking after ourselves, as it is more about scrutinising and examining our internal thoughts and feelings.

[07009616]

Firstly, I agree with most of the comments made. In short, "cultivating of the self" means 'to improve oneself', whether it is physically or mentally. Going to school/ university, for example, one is expanding their minds and extending their knowledge simultaneously. In this case, anything that extends our knowledge proves to be beneficial towards our lives whether right now or in the future. E.g. by achieving better qualifications, one is more likely (although not necessarily) to obtain a better job

[Tea and Cake]

I'd just like to draw upon something emily has said... 

"It is like the Christian idea of self-exploration, we need to not only master our own passions in order to self-improve, but also treat ourselves as something to be examined."

Surely the concepts of 'self-exploration' and 'self- improvement' are Greco-Roman practices designed to experience morality and look after oneself (and potentially others) independently. Whereas in Christianity, "morality took on increasingly the form of a code of rules." (Foucault, p.49, 1988)
By obeying such rules surely you can do no wrong and shouldn't need to undergo 'self-exploration'? Why do Christians need to 'be examined' when God accepts you for who you are? Hypothetically, if you are 'examined' and do not meet the Christian requirements are you abandoned by God?

[soph218]

It is interesting to see that a lot of people see going to the gym as away of 'cultivating the self' I can see how it is bettering ourselves and is building on ones appearance. However it is aesthetic based, we often go to the gym to improve our image. In Foucault terms the care of ones self has “ nothing to do with physical appearance – looking beautiful, but rather about a beautiful way of living”  (Gauntlett 2002 pg141) so what are people's opinions on going to the gym? In the context of bettering our life's and not our appearance?

[07056267]

I believe this is more than just a way of cultivating ourselves to benefit our physical appearance.  We are taught through scientific knowledge that exercising and keeping healthy is a good way of improving our moral, self-esteem, and a brilliant way to relieve stress.  Therefore, I believe this fits into Foucault's theory of cultivating the soul.  If we treat ourselves as a piece of art, and look after our bodies, our minds will follow in suit and will lead us towards a more content life.

[gerrberr]

I dont think that i only refers purely to body as Foucault also refers to hypomnemata which i collection of paper or notes that help us to reflect ourselves, therfere though our action and analysis we can obtain a better understanding of ourselves. Elizabeth Clark mentioned in her writing that Foucault noticed that starting from Greek period abstinence from sexual activity allowed a person to purify themselves and not be distructed by anything

[Timeless]

I agree with a lot of statements that have been made on this topic. One thing I realised though is that to better ourselves, in any way, be it mentally or physically, we have to have control and discipline. Without either then our efforts would be futile. It's all well and good having other people push you to better yourself, but at the end of the day only you are the one who is going to achieve this the most.

In a sense, this control and discipline is even more 'training' of a different kind to better ourselves.