The Author of the Analects: An Exploration Inspired by Michel Foucault

Inspired by Michel Foucault’s author-function theory (Foucault, 1984), this exploratory study aims to re-examine the concept of author. Central to the study is the case of Confucius and his role in authoring the Analects. The research method employed is content analysis, through which the contents of individual passages in the Analects are analyzed to determine “who” is speaking and, in turn, whether Confucius may be considered the author of the Analects. As intended, the study provides a fresh perspective for future knowledge organization systems.