hackertube.io

Debate Noam Chomsky & Michel Foucault - On human nature [Subtitled]

withDefiance · interview · Watch on YouTube

Philosophy & ethicsConsciousness & cognitionPolitics & history (other)

What it is

The full 1971 Dutch television debate between Noam Chomsky and Michel Foucault on human nature, with subtitles. They discuss creativity, knowledge, power and politics.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a famous, revealing clash between two thinkers, though some note they largely talk past each other.

  • 6 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2015, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “For anyone who hasn't watched the actual, full video of the debate, you should do so.”

    Full Chomsky-Foucault debate across two languages, fun and revealing.

    steveklabnik, 2015-04 · Strong recommendation · in “Foucault’s lecture notes from 1970–71 demolish caricatures of his thought (2013)”

  2. “I cannot reccomend the infamous debate b/w Chomsky & Foucault enough”

    Infamous debate with chapter markers to skip to creativity.

    bbor, 2026-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Claude Opus 5”

  3. “It is quite illuminating to see the exchange for instance between Michel Foucault and Noam Chomsky”

    Shows tonal differences between European and American intellectuals.

    enqk, 2017-01 · Recommendation · in “How Camus and Sartre split up over the question of how to be free”

  4. “this debate with chomsky on human nature is interesting”

    Interesting debate on human nature.

    f00_, 2017-09 · Recommendation · in “Michel Foucault in Death Valley: A Boom Interview with Simeon Wade”

  5. “there is a very enjoyable debate/discussion between Foucault and Chomsky on the acquisitions of human knowledge and human nature”

    Enjoyable discussion on acquisition of knowledge and human nature.

    marnett, 2018-03 · Recommendation · in “The Role of Luck in Life Success”

  6. “Unfortunately, they're mostly speaking past each other, but it's still worth watching.”

    Interesting debate though speakers talk past each other.

    pmoriarty, 2019-10 · Recommendation · in “Michel Foucault: Power and Struggle”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: chomsky, foucault, philosophy, creativity, power, 1971

Also recommended by the same people