One of the leading intellectuals of the twentieth century and the most prominent thinker in post-war France, Foucault's work influenced disciplines as diverse as history, sociology, philosophy, sociology and literary criticism.

Part 1 Introduction: modifications; forms of problematization; morality and practice of the self. Part 2 The moral problematization of pleasures: "Aphrodisia"; "Chresis"; "Enkrateia"; freedom and truth. Part 3 Dietetics: regimen in general; the diet of pleasures; risks and dangers; act, expenditure, death. Part 4 Economics: the wisdom of marriage; Ischomachus' household; three policies of moderation. Part 5 Erotics: a problematic relation; a boy's honour; the object of pleasure. Part 6 True love.