4/13 Gramsci & Foucault

In "From the Prison Notebooks," Gramsci clarifies what philosophy is. It's is the study of consciously and critically view one's own conception of the world. It's contained in the language itself, common sense and good sense, and popular religion. I found the point Gramsci made about common sense and good sense interesting as it pushes one to further their conception of the world. I noted that the difference between common sense and good sense is that good sense is associated with actions. For example, a high student is being bullied in the hallways and you are standing by there just looking over the situation, that would be common sense. It's 'common sense' to not but into another student's business. But it's not the right thing to do too. Instead, you can go intercept the situation and solve the problem, that's 'good sense.' All that matters is the willingness to go forth. Another point Gramsci mentions about is how philosophy is in the language itself. I understand he's trying to say that if people know the standard dialect of each language, people can come together with their ideas as a mass rather than intellectual individuals.

In "Truth and Power", Foucault lists the 5 important traits of 'political economy' of truth. One trait that caught my attention would be the trait that truth is "subject to constant economic and political incitement." From this trait, I get that truth is constantly manipulated for economic and political gain. An example that comes to mind would be a corporation putting out an advertisement of a skinny girl being praised for her beauty. I'm not saying a skinny girl cannot be beautiful, but I am worried about that girl's health. The corporation puts that mindset of what beauty standards are into young women minds' just to earn their gain. The corporation tells the 'truth' that would benefit themselves, but at the same time, hurting others self-esteem.

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