Michel Foucault’s article talks a
great deal about truth. In one sense, factual truth is an ever-constant view or
fact that is widely understood by the majority. However, Foucault is not referring
to factual truth but a sociological or political truth held by society. They are
similar in that they both center on an idea that is considered fact, yet most
the other traits are not. A personal truth is largely dependent on the individual
who holds it. Foucault lists 5 important traits of truth. There are 2 that I wish
to focus on. First the statement “its is the object, under diverse forms, of
immense diffusion and consumption.” Through the nature of this statement, truth
cannot be constant. IT can obtain a general core idea, but it can be influenced
and altered based on how it diffuses among people. The second statement says that
“it is produced and transmitted under the control, dominant if not exclusive,
of a few great political and economic apparatuses. This is something that most
people do not realize. Social truth is dependent on the acceptance of the
majority in society and society is largely influenced by politics, commercialism,
and media. Therefore, there is a high possibility that truth is not as factual
as one may think and is really governed by those that wish to manipulate and control.
If one can influence truth, then they can influence all those that believe it. This
goes back to the idea that culture can be used both as opposition and
containment. By mediating what is accepted as true, specific apparatus can
regulate groups in society.
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