Our Decisions Are Dependent On Other Person Opinions
Why Foucault was so right about it?
Have you ever wondered why you can’t make some decisions for yourself without the will of another person in your life?
If the answer is YES, then you must be wondering the reason/thought behind it.
One of the famous philosophers, Michel Foucault highlighted this notion in his Power Theory’s Concept — saying that there are two powers in this world.
One is Sovereign or Kingdom power, and the second is Normalize power.
Foucault’s Power Theory Concept
As you have probably been thinking right by the name of Sovereign Power which is more like possessive and visible in a sense.
And Normalize power is more strategic and less visible than possessive power.
Adding to this, he told us that this Normalize power theory is everywhere, i.e., from micro to macro level, and is connected to our life.
In Philosophical Sense: Knowledge is Power
In Foucault’s theory, this knowledge power is the key element of what I’m sharing the coming concept with you that is totally relatable to you and you will agree up to a point;
But for now at this point of your read just keep the above phrase in mind.
MOVING ON,
The Thought is How This Abstract Power Works?
Foucault said that suppose, on a Micro level, you are obliged to follow your family’s footsteps/rules, and if you want to do something out of their comfort zone, then sometimes you have got to face the response you are not expecting.
So, whether your will is considered or not is indirectly dependent on your family, so it is being normalized in another sense.
He gave another example of Macro level, saying that 99% of your opinions are being normalized & molded by the environment you enrolled in.
So, in both scenarios your actions are being normalized and in other words centered around the strategic theory of power.
And here is the key element,
Power of knowledge is a kind of metapower that is pervading in society and is exercised by us individuals through this metapower funnel.
So if you have grasp the idea of this Foucault on Power knowledge abstract image then,
The next step is,
Always remember decision-making plays a vital role in your life.
If you can’t put your opinions in any of your decision-making processes, you might risk dependency on another person’s decisions.
And this philosophy beautifully emphasizes the thought of the decision-making process where we are often unaware of this ability of ours and continue to struggle with life decisions.
Now, if you are here at this point of read, you are probably wondering how to develop our opinions if we have no confidence in making it on our own.
Just remember what self-confidence feels like for you;
- Embrace your failures
- Don’t hesitate if people laugh at your opinion
- Turn criticism into improvements
- Surround yourself with like-minded people
- Always work on your present & move forward!
MY Final Thoughts
This modern world works around power, and Foucault is one of the few thinkers that comprehends this concept and makes us think that it can become a constructive, and positive element in society instead of putting a negative element that could demoralize our own decisions.
And no one is perfect, we should take expectations from ourselves and not from others!
If you wanted to read more of my work, here it is.
