In recent radical theory generally, and French theory in particular, vision has been seen as a means of control. But this view is often unnuanced. It bypasses questions such as: Why is it that contemporary theories have been so critical of vision, and generous towards listening (in psychoanalysis) and language (in philosophy)? This collection of essays brings together historical studies and contemporary theoretical perspectives on vision. The historical papers focus in turn on Ancient Greece, medieval theology, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the 19th century. These historical studies are themselves thoroughly informed by poststructuralist theory. They provide a background for several new articles on vision and its influence on feminism, race, sexual orientation, film and art.