Chapter 2.5: Michel Foucault, power
Summary
TLDRIn this lecture, the focus is on Michel Foucault's concepts of power, particularly his distinction between repressive and normalizing power. Foucault suggests that the most influential power in modern society is not the obvious repressive kind, but the subtle, pervasive normalizing power that shapes our desires and beliefs, making us willingly comply with societal norms. He argues that this power is omnipresent, affecting us through various institutions like family, schools, and media. Foucault also links scientific knowledge to power, asserting that it plays a crucial role in normalization, influencing how society perceives and expects us to behave.
Takeaways
- đČ Foucault introduces a new perspective on power, suggesting it can be found in unexpected places, including academia and scientific knowledge.
- đ He differentiates between 'repressive power' and 'normalizing power', challenging the traditional view of power as only violent or coercive.
- đ€ Foucault argues that 'normalizing power' is more subtle and pervasive, shaping our desires and behaviors without us realizing it.
- đïž Repressive power is associated with institutions like the police and military, and is seen as a last resort when other forms of power fail.
- đ« Normalizing power is omnipresent, operating through institutions like family, schools, universities, and even media.
- đ„ Foucault believes that power is not just held by a few; everyone is subjected to it, influencing both the powerful and the less powerful.
- đ§ Normalizing power constructs our worldview and self-perception, making us believe our beliefs and desires are our own, not imposed by society.
- đŹ Scientific knowledge is deeply intertwined with power, as it sets the standards for what is considered normal in society.
- đïž Institutions that generate scientific knowledge are sources of normalizing power, influencing how individuals think and behave.
- đ€·ââïž Foucault is skeptical of the idea of a 'true self' separate from societal norms, suggesting we are all products of normalization to some extent.
- đĄ Awareness of the ways in which we are subjected to power can lead to a greater sense of autonomy, even if we cannot completely break free from societal influences.
Q & A
What are the two kinds of power that Michel Foucault discusses in his lecture?
-Michel Foucault discusses two kinds of power: repressive power and normalizing power.
How does Foucault define repressive power?
-Repressive power is defined by Foucault as the traditional form of power that involves the use of force or threats to make people comply with certain rules or orders, such as a judge sentencing a criminal or a boss threatening an employee.
What is normalizing power according to Foucault?
-Normalizing power, as described by Foucault, is a subtle and less visible form of power that shapes individuals' beliefs, desires, and decisions in a way that makes them want to do what society expects of them, without the need for explicit threats or force.
Why does Foucault consider repressive power to be less effective than normalizing power?
-Foucault considers repressive power to be less effective because it implies a failure and requires the use of force or threats, whereas normalizing power is more effective as it shapes individuals' behavior in a way that they willingly comply with societal norms and expectations.
How does Foucault view the role of institutions in the exercise of normalizing power?
-Foucault sees institutions such as families, schools, universities, hospitals, and even media as sources of normalizing power, as they contribute to shaping individuals' views of the world and themselves.
What is the relationship between power and scientific knowledge according to Foucault?
-Foucault posits that scientific knowledge is not separate from power. It plays a crucial role in the social structures that exert normalizing power on individuals, with professionals like doctors, psychiatrists, economists, and historians using science to define what is considered normal or acceptable behavior.
How does Foucault's concept of power challenge the traditional view of power as held by a few?
-Foucault's concept of power challenges the traditional view by suggesting that power is not just held by a few powerful individuals but is a pervasive force that subjects everyone to its influence, including those who appear to be in positions of power.
What does Foucault suggest about the possibility of breaking free from the influence of societal norms?
-Foucault suggests that it is not possible to radically break free from the influence of societal norms because they are deeply ingrained in our identities. However, becoming aware of the ways in which we are subjected to power can lead to a degree of autonomy.
How does Foucault explain the role of education in the context of normalizing power?
-Foucault explains that education, particularly university education, is a significant instrument of normalizing power as it shapes students into individuals who think and act in ways that are considered normal and acceptable by society.
What is the significance of the concept of 'normal' in Foucault's discussion on normalizing power?
-The concept of 'normal' is central to Foucault's discussion on normalizing power because it represents the societal standards and expectations that individuals are subtly encouraged to conform to, shaping their behavior and perceptions without the need for overt coercion.
How does Foucault view the autonomy of individuals within a society that is pervasively influenced by normalizing power?
-Foucault acknowledges that complete autonomy is difficult to achieve due to the pervasive influence of normalizing power. However, he believes that self-awareness and understanding of the mechanisms of power can provide individuals with a greater degree of autonomy.
Outlines
đ Exploring Foucault's Concept of Power
This paragraph delves into Michel Foucault's perspective on power, specifically focusing on his distinction between repressive and normalizing power. Foucault challenges the traditional view of power as merely coercive, suggesting that power is more subtly exercised through normalization. He argues that power is not just about making people do things they don't want to do (repression), but also about shaping their desires and behaviors to align with societal norms (normalization). This concept is exemplified through everyday scenarios like education and employment, illustrating how individuals internalize societal expectations and act accordingly without the need for overt coercion. Foucault's ideas prompt a reevaluation of where and how power operates in modern society, including within institutions like universities and the realm of scientific knowledge.
đ The Ubiquity and Impact of Normalizing Power
The second paragraph expands on the concept of normalizing power, emphasizing its omnipresence and profound influence on society and individuals. Foucault posits that normalizing power is more effective and primary than repressive power, as it ensures compliance not through force but through internalized norms. He discusses the role of various societal institutions, such as family, schools, universities, and media, in perpetuating these norms. Furthermore, Foucault examines the inseparability of scientific knowledge from power, highlighting how scientific standards are used to define what is considered normal or acceptable behavior in society. This insight reveals the interconnectedness of power, knowledge, and social structures, and encourages a critical awareness of the ways in which individuals are shaped by and participate in these structures, potentially leading to a greater sense of autonomy.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄPower
đĄMichel Foucault
đĄRepressive Power
đĄNormalizing Power
đĄScience
đĄAutonomy
đĄInstitutions
đĄHierarchy
đĄBeliefs, Desires, and Decisions
đĄNormalization
đĄSociety
Highlights
Foucault introduces a new perspective on power, suggesting it exists in unexpected places, including academia and scientific knowledge.
Power is categorized into repressive and normalizing forms, with the latter being more subtle and pervasive in modern society.
Repressive power is often associated with the use of force or threats, such as imprisonment or military conquest.
The need to apply repressive power can indicate a failure in achieving desired behaviors without coercion.
Normalizing power shapes individuals to willingly conform to societal expectations without the need for force.
Foucault argues that our behaviors are not solely driven by fear of punishment but are deeply ingrained through normalization.
Normalization constructs our worldview and self-perception, making us believe our actions are self-determined.
Foucault is skeptical of the existence of a 'true self' separate from societal norms and influences.
Normalizing power is considered 'first-rate' as it ensures compliance without the need for overt force.
Both repressive and normalizing powers are present in various institutions, shaping societal roles and behaviors.
Scientific knowledge is intertwined with power, influencing norms and standards that govern society.
Foucault's view suggests that everyone is subjected to power, regardless of their social status or role.
Scientific institutions contribute to normalizing power by shaping the way individuals think and act.
Foucault emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of power in shaping scientific knowledge and societal structures.
Becoming aware of the influence of power can lead to a greater degree of autonomy and self-determination.
Foucault does not advocate for a complete break from societal norms but encourages critical awareness of power dynamics.
The lecture concludes that power is omnipresent, shaping our lives in ways that we may not fully recognize or understand.
Transcripts
in this lecture we will look at some of
Michel Foucault's ideas about power and
about the link he finds between power
and science we will see that Foucault
gives us a new way of thinking about
power a way which allows us to find
power in places where we would have
never expected to find it before
including in the university and in
scientific knowledge itself to
understand fuko's thinking we will make
a distinction between between two kinds
of power repressive power and
normalizing power to think of power in
terms of repression is the traditional
way of thinking against that Foucault
suggests that most power and indeed the
most important kind of power in our
modern society doesn't repress at all it
works in a far subtler less visible way
this power is what Foucault calls
normalizing power but let's start on the
repressive side when we think of someone
who is exercising power some of the
images that may come up in our minds are
these a judge ordering a criminal to be
locked up for 20 years a country using
its superior military to conquer another
country an angry boss telling his
employee to do as he's told or get fired
and so on when we think of power we tend
to think of violence whether physical or
mental what our actual or only
threatened this is the idea of power as
a repression you want to do one thing
but someone else uses their power to
force you to do their bidding instead
now such power is undeniably effective
but there is also a sense in which in
each of these cases the need to apply
power implies a failure the state only
has to lock up criminals if its laws
have been broken the bigger country only
needs to go to the trouble of invading
the smaller country if it has failed in
other ways to make the smaller country
do what it wants and a boss who has to
threat
employees is not really in control a
boss who is really in control is obeyed
without the need for threats repressive
power them while no doubt the most
visible form of power is also kind of
second-rate if you were really powerful
you wouldn't need to use it our lives
are shaped by repressive power or by the
threat of repressive power only on rare
occasions for instance take stealing
only a few of us actually go to jail for
stealing and what's more it's not the
case that the rest of us are motivated
not to steal because we are afraid of
going to jail
because of the threat of jail we don't
walk through the supermarket with the
desire to steal things held in check
only by our fear of the police no we
don't even think about stealing if we
think about it we don't consider it
seriously we don't want to steal if we
find someone's wallet on the street with
a hundred euros in it we'll give it back
to the owner with all the money still in
it that's the kind of people we are and
that is where fuko's idea of normalizing
power comes in repressive power forces
us to do what we don't want to do
normalizing power on the other hand
makes us want to do what we have to do
anyway it turns us into people who
automatically by their own will do what
society wishes them to do if our parents
our schools and so on have been
successful at teaching us not to steal
we are now the kind of people I just
described people who can't even imagine
themselves stealing anything if they
have been successful at teaching you the
value of education and diplomas then you
are now the kind of student who is
motivated to learn well for your
university courses and to get a degree
in four years of course while you are
students Society allows you to do some
stupid things like drinking too much
beer
smoking pot failing a course now and
then but society can afford to
because it knows that when you have
finished your degree you will be not
just ready but eager to join the
workforce make yourself useful pay taxes
not break the law and in general just be
an upright normal citizen normal that's
the key word here
normalizing power is power that
determines what we see as normal it
constructs our view of the world and of
ourselves in that way it shapes our
beliefs our desires and our decisions
while at the same time giving us the
idea that these are our own beliefs
desires and decisions that nobody has
forced them upon us and in the sense
that's true even though our lives have
been shaped in countless ways by the
normalizing power of society well
they're still our lives Foucault is
extremely skeptical of the idea that
there is some true you hiding underneath
what society has made of you without
society you wouldn't be a person at all
all of us always are and always will be
normalized to a very large extent I said
before that repressive power is in a
sense second-rate if you need to use
force or threats to get people to do
what you want
you're already solving a problem that
ideally would never have arisen ideally
people would do what you want without
threats they would do what you want
simply because they consider that the
right thing to do this of course is
precisely with normalizing power
accomplishes normalizing power is really
first-rate power the power that ensures
that you and I don't have to be jailed
because we wouldn't steal anyway the
power that ensure that we do what our
boss tells us because we believe in
hierarchy and perhaps desire to climb in
that hierarchy and be bosses ourselves
one future day Foucault goes on to point
out that while repressive powers often
focused in very specific institutions
and individuals the police force the
army the judge the bosses the
politicians
normalizing power on the other hand is
everywhere the family is a source of
normalizing power and so is the school
the University the hospital the
psychiatric clinic and even the
commercial break on television which
tells me that I should desire to smell
of musk and ginger if we want to
understand how power works these are the
institutions that we need to analyze and
understand and a large part of fuko's
work is dedicated to doing exactly that
two important things follow from fucose
view first the power is not something
that is wielded by a few powerful people
at the expense of others unfocus view
everybody is subjected to power Society
has given the employee idea of how an
employee should behave but it has also
given the boss an idea of how a boss
should behave the boss might have more
repressive power than the employee but
both of them are equally subjected to
normalizing power and the same holds for
everyone nobody is free second it
follows that scientific knowledge cannot
be divorced from power for one thing the
institutions which generate and spread
scientific knowledge are themselves
sources of normalizing power a
university education is turning the
student into a person who thinks and
acts in certain ways and by the time you
are a working scientist you will have
incorporated an entire way of thinking
so deeply that you'll never get rid of
it again
but perhaps even more importantly
scientific knowledge itself is an
extremely important standard of
normalization based on science
doctors get to decide whether I am sick
or healthy and thus whether it is normal
for society to expect me to work for my
money based on science
psychiatrists get to decide whether my
behavior is normal or a sign of mental
illness based on science economists get
the
at what age I can stop working based on
science historians get to decide what I
am taught about the origins of my
society and so on
science is not divorced from power it
plays an extremely important role in the
social structures that surround us and
those structures are continuously
exerting their normalizing power on each
of us so what's the use of knowing all
that again Foucault doesn't believe that
you can radically break from the ways
you have been shaped by society because
then there would be nothing left but he
does believe that by becoming aware of
all the many ways in which we are
subjected to power we can be a little
more autonomous than if we remained in
the dark about this and erroneously
believed ourselves to be as free as
birds
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