福柯与古代哲学的相遇使他意识并体验到哲学实践是怎样使人成其所是的。福柯研究及教学的真实效果并不是仅仅开创并发展一种理论,积累并传授哲学史知识;相反,正如他晚期一系列讲座中所阐明的,哲学活动是一种操练、一种体验。福柯在他生命最后阶段的工作及著作关涉他自身,是他在成为一名哲学家的过程中所进行的艰苦的哲学修行。这种操练的目的是要改变他自己,通过思考的行为来让自己变得有所不同,并且给那些可能会接触到他的著作及投身到哲学思考中的人提供改变自我之经验。 The encounter with Foucault and the ancient philosophy made him aware of and experienced how philosophy practice made what he did. The true effect of Foucault’s research and teaching is not merely to create and develop a theory that accumulates and transmits knowledge of the history of philosophy; rather, as illustrated in his later series of lectures, philosophical activity is a practice, an experience. Foucault’s work and writings in the final stages of his life are related to himself, a difficult philosophical practice of him as a philosopher. The purpose of this exercise is to change himself, to make himself different through thoughtful behavior, and to provide those who might come into contact with his writings and who engage in philosophical thinking with the experience of changing themselves.