Journal of Social Science Innovation
JSSI, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026, pp.145-152
Print ISSN: 3134-9226; Online ISSN: 3134-9234
Journal homepage: https://www.ssijournal.com
DOI: Https://doi.org/10.64058/jssi260113ifetl
Zhu Jingwen, Zhang Tian
Abstract: Taking Zeng Chi’s From Morality to Ethics: On Foucault’s “Ethical Turn” as the subject, this review aims to assess the theoretical value of the philosophical monograph for literary criticism, particularly in the study of narrative and subjectivity. The review points out that by systematizing Foucault’s “ethical turn”, Zeng clearly distinguishes between “code-oriented morality” and “ethics-oriented morality,” and extracts the practical binary model of “confession” versus “parrhesia”. This theoretical framework provides literary analysis with a refined tool, enabling it to move beyond simplistic attributions to either psychological or social-deterministic factors. Instead, it delves into the complex, dynamic process between “being passively constituted” and “actively shaping oneself” in discourse and practice. By analysis of classic texts such as The Great Gatsby, “To Room Nineteen” and “The Dead”, this article demonstrates how the framework can effectively interpret discourse discipline, subjective formation, and their intricate interplay within characters’ self-narration. It argues that Zeng’s interpretation transforms Foucault’s thought into a critical methodology which is capable of deepening character analysis and narrative studies.
Keywords: Foucault; Ethical Turn; Ethical Literary Criticism; Subjectivity
Author Biographies: Zhu Jingwen, Master Candidate, School of Foreign Languages, Central China Normal University. Research interests: English Literature. E-mail: 1264563877@qq.com. Zhang Tian (Corresponding Author), Professor, School of Foreign Languages, Central China Normal University. Research interests: British and American literature, Jewish studies, cultural studies. E-mail: zhangtian@mail.ccnu.edu.cn.
标题：福柯伦理转向的文学批评启示——评《从道德到伦理：论福柯的伦理转向》
摘要：本文以曾持《从道德到伦理：论福柯的伦理转向》为评论对象，旨在评估这部哲学专著对文学批评，特别是叙事与主体性研究的理论价值。书评指出，曾持通过系统梳理福柯的“伦理转向”，清晰区分了“规范导向的道德”与“伦理导向的道德”，并提炼出“坦白”与“坦言”这一组的实践对立模型。这一理论框架为文学分析提供了精密工具，使其能够超越对人物心理或社会决定论的简单归因，转而深入考察人物在话语与实践中“被动构成”与“主动塑造”之间的复杂动态过程。本文结合《了不起的盖茨比》、《到十九号房间去》、《死者》等经典文本进行例证分析，展示了该框架如何有效解读人物自我叙事中的话语规训、主体塑造及其矛盾交织，论证了曾持的阐释如何将福柯的思想转化为一套能够深化人物分析与叙事研究的批评方法论。
关键词：福柯；伦理转向；文学伦理学批评；主体性
作者简介：朱静雯，华中师范大学外国语学院在读硕士，研究方向：英语文学。电邮：1264563877@qq.com。张甜（通讯作者），华中师范大学外国语学院教授，研究方向：英美文学、犹太问题研究、文化研究。电邮：zhangtian@mail.ccnu.edu.cn。
Received: 26 Mar 2026 / Revised: 17 Apr 2026 / Accepted: 24 Apr 2026 / Published online: 30 Apr 2026 / Print published: 30 May 2026.
