Biopower Michel Foucault - H2FOZ - News from Foz do Iguaçu

By Professor Caverna – OPINION

Listen up: have you ever stopped to think about how the government, science, social media and even doctors have a direct impact on your life? Like, not just on the rules we follow, but on the way we eat, take care of ourselves and even the way we think about our own bodies? Well, this thing has a name: biopower. And the person who brought this concept to the world was none other than the French philosopher Michel Foucault.

Foucault created the concept of biopower to explain how, from the 18th century onwards, governments and institutions began to control people’s lives in a more subtle but extremely efficient way. Before that, political authority was much more about killing and punishing people directly (like kings hanging traitors). But over time, the focus shifted to something even more profound: controlling life. This means that power began to act on bodies and on the population as a whole, regulating habits, health, reproduction, behaviors and even beauty standards. Instead of just saying “you can or cannot do this”, institutions began to influence the way we live, what we think is right or wrong and even how we should feel.

Biopower acts in two main ways: on individual bodies (discipline) and on the population as a whole (regulation of life). Discipline is the way power uses to train and shape our bodies. This happens through institutions such as schools, prisons, hospitals, armies and factories. Think about it: At school, we learn to sit up straight, follow schedules, raise our hands to speak. This is not only education, but also training to behave in a specific way in society. At the hospital, the doctor not only treats you, but also teaches you what is “right” or “wrong” for your health: eat well, sleep so many hours a day, exercise, take medicine X and not Y. At work, there are rules of productivity, schedules and expected behaviors. Those who do not comply can be fired or marginalized. In other words, discipline is a type of invisible control, which makes us self-regulate without even realizing it.

Now, in addition to controlling individuals, biopower also acts on a larger level, controlling the population as a whole. This happens through public policies, statistics, and social norms. Some examples: Vaccination campaigns: The government uses scientific data to decide who should be vaccinated and when. This protects society, but also determines how our bodies should be managed. Birth control: Throughout history, governments have encouraged or discouraged the number of children according to economic and political interests. Hygiene rules: Since the Industrial Revolution, standards have emerged regarding cleanliness, nutrition, and health that shape how we take care of our own bodies. Risk calculation: Health insurance companies charge more to those with certain medical conditions, encouraging a specific lifestyle. Do you realize that biopower is not something visible, like a politician saying “do this or that”? It works behind the scenes, through institutions and norms that seem natural, but are actually socially constructed.

Now comes the sinister part: if biopower was already strong in past centuries, imagine now, in the digital age? Check out some modern examples: Fitness and the Perfect Body: Social networks like Instagram and TikTok dictate beauty standards, making us believe that only a certain type of body is healthy and desirable. This encourages extreme diets, plastic surgeries and even eating disorders. Health Apps: Today, we have apps that monitor our sleep, steps, heart rate... It seems like a positive thing, but it is also a form of control. Companies and governments can use this data to predict and influence our behavior. Control Algorithms: Platforms like YouTube and Twitter decide what you see and, with that, can influence opinions, emotions and even elections. Digital Identity: Our existence is increasingly being regulated by digital systems. If you don't have a CPF, bank account or email, you practically don't exist in the modern world.

One of the most recent and glaring examples of biopower has been the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, governments around the world have decided who can leave their homes, who should get vaccinated first, and which economic activities can continue. The state has used scientific data to justify restrictions and create new forms of population control. Of course, the intention was to protect lives, but it has also raised questions about how far governments can go in controlling people’s bodies. Some groups felt that their individual freedoms were being restricted, while others argued that the collective good should come first. This shows how biopower is not just a thing of the past, but a living and evolving mechanism.

Now, is biopower just a villain? Not necessarily. It has pros and cons, and the problem is not its existence, but who controls it and with what intentions. Positive Points: It helps organize society and prevent diseases. It encourages healthy practices and a longer life expectancy. It can be used to reduce social inequalities and improve collective well-being. Negative Points: It can be used to manipulate and control populations without them realizing it. It often benefits only certain groups in society. It creates rigid standards that exclude those who do not fit in.

Now that you understand how biopower works, there are a few ways you can protect yourself from it: Question Norms and Standards: Why are certain things seen as “normal” and others are not? Who benefits from this? Be Aware of Your Data: Are your consumption habits, health, and even social media being monitored? How does this influence your choices? Reflect on What You Consume: Who is behind the information you receive? Are they trying to shape you in some way? Value Diversity: Not everyone needs to follow the same standards of body, beauty, behavior, and health. Ultimately, biopower is not an invisible enemy that needs to be defeated, but rather a phenomenon that must be understood and questioned. After all, the more we understand how power works, the freer we become to choose our own path.

Note: Dear reader, the objective here is to stimulate your philosophical reflection, nothing more! nothing more!