Paul Rabinow

Paul Rabinow (1944-2021) was an American anthropologist and professor who made significant contributions to contemporary social and cultural anthropology, particularly through his work on modernity, bioethics, and French social theory. His most influential writings centered on interpreting and expanding upon Michel Foucault's ideas, including his widely-read book "French Modern: Norms and Forms of the Social Environment" (1989). Rabinow also conducted extensive fieldwork in Morocco, leading to important publications on colonialism and modernity in North Africa. Throughout his career at the University of California, Berkeley, Rabinow developed new approaches to studying contemporary science and technology, particularly in relation to biotechnology and genetic research. His concept of "biosociality" helped explain how biological and genetic knowledge reshape social relations and human self-understanding. Rabinow's later work focused on synthetic biology and the anthropology of the contemporary, establishing new methodological frameworks for studying rapidly changing scientific and social phenomena. His books "Making PCR: A Story of Biotechnology" (1996) and "Anthropos Today: Reflections on Modern Equipment" (2003) exemplify his innovative approach to analyzing modern scientific practices and their societal implications.

Readers appreciate Rabinow's detailed analysis of scientific practices and their social implications, though many find his writing style dense and academic. His work on Foucault and Morocco receives particular attention from anthropology students and scholars. What readers liked: - Deep insights into modern biotechnology and ethics - Original fieldwork observations from Morocco - Clear explanations of Foucault's concepts - Thorough research methodology What readers disliked: - Complex academic language that can be difficult to follow - Heavy use of specialized terminology - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited accessibility for non-academic readers On Goodreads, "French Modern" averages 4.1/5 stars from 89 ratings. "Making PCR" receives 3.8/5 from 42 ratings. Amazon reviews are limited but consistent with Goodreads. One graduate student reviewer noted: "Rabinow excels at connecting abstract theory to concrete practices." Another reader commented: "The ideas are valuable but buried under layers of academic jargon."

Making PCR: A Story of Biotechnology (1996) An examination of the discovery and development of PCR technology at Cetus Corporation, documenting both the scientific process and social dynamics of modern biotechnology research.

French Modern: Norms and Forms of the Social Environment (1989) Analysis of how French social thought and urban planning between 1830-1930 created new ways of understanding and managing modern society.

Anthropos Today: Reflections on Modern Equipment (2003) Investigation of how contemporary anthropological practices can address philosophical and ethical questions in modern life.

Marking Time: On the Anthropology of the Contemporary (2008) Study of how anthropology can analyze present-day phenomena, focusing on biosecurity, ethics, and modernity.

Essays on the Anthropology of Reason (1996) Collection exploring how reason and rationality operate in modern scientific and social practices.

French DNA: Trouble in Purgatory (1999) Account of a failed business deal between French and American biotechnology companies, examining cultural differences in approaches to genetic research.

The Accompaniment: Assembling the Contemporary (2011) Exploration of the role of anthropology in understanding contemporary problems and ethical challenges.

Bruno Latour studies science, modernity and knowledge production through ethnographic methods. His work on laboratory life and actor-network theory parallels Rabinow's interest in how scientific knowledge shapes contemporary life.

Michel Foucault examines power relations, knowledge systems, and the formation of modern subjects. His concepts of biopower and governmentality directly influenced Rabinow's anthropological analyses.

Nikolas Rose investigates contemporary biopolitics and the impact of life sciences on society and governance. His research on molecular biology and human sciences connects to Rabinow's work on biosociality and modern equipment.

George Marcus develops methodological approaches for studying complex contemporary phenomena through multi-sited ethnography. His work on anthropology of modernity shares Rabinow's concern with how to study emergent forms of life and knowledge.

Ian Hacking analyzes how scientific classifications and statistical thinking shape human self-understanding. His historical studies of how sciences create new kinds of people align with Rabinow's interest in contemporary practices of knowledge-making.