10 October 2011

Sarah Pabis Intercultural Comm 103 Reading Inquiry #1 Common Sense and Truth in the World Today

Social theories describe the happenings of both the world we live in and the world around us, of which we might not be aware. They aim to make sense of the relationships we have with one another, especially with those of varying cultures and realities. The way we interact with those of different races, nationalities and other such identifiers can create conflict; and in todays world of interconnectedness with the World Wide Web, we need to not only be aware of these relationships, but also understand them. The social theories of Gramsci and Foucault are based on notions of power, culture and ideology and relate the concepts of hegemony and truth to our individual realities. Their ideas emerge everyday in the communication between varying levels of authority; which can be as simple as obeying a red light, to believing in the American Dream, to accepting the validity of what you learn in school. Gramsci explores the idea of dual consciousness between practical consciousness and hidden consciousness. One might also say that he has two theoretical consciousnesses (or one contradictory consciousness): one which is implicit in his activity and which in reality unites him with all his fellow workers in the practical transformation of the real world; and one, superficially explicit or verbal, which he has inherited from the past and uncritically absorbed. (Gramsci 264)

These modes of consciousness alter our reality by differentiating between what we perceive to be real as opposed to what actually is. The first mode of consciousness uncritically accepts what society tells them is true; for example, the idea that if you go to college and get a degree, you will get a high paying job. Weve been taught since our elementary years that we go to school in order to get into college, which we go to in order to get a job. However, in todays economy, with only 39% of graduating seniors receiving job offers (USA Today), the hidden consciousness is that what youre really going to be left with is a part time job and massive debt from student loans. These truths that were taught to accept as common sense are instilled in us by means of hegemony. Gramsci introduces the concept of hegemony by means of superstructural levels called the civil society and the political society. These two levels correspond on the one hand to the function of hegemony which the dominant group exercises throughout society and on the other hand to that of direct domination or command exercised through the state and juridical government. (264) The political society, as the authority, forces its ideologies on the subordinate as a means of control. Over time, these dominant ideologies are accepted and eventually adapted as common sense. These ideologies become internalized by a means of both domination and consent. The authoritative power is coercive, but cannot achieve common sense status without the consent of the subordinate. It holds together a specific social group, it influences moral conduct and the direction of will, with varying efficacity but often powerfully enough to produce a situation in which

the contradictory state of consciousness does not permit of any action, any decision or any choice, and produces a condition of moral and political passivity. (264) For example, in todays society, laws tell us that we should stop at a red light. Our common sense automatically kicks in, and without critically thinking about it, we stop when we approach a red light, automatically consenting to the superior. The reason we do this is because we consider it wrong not to, ultimately meaning that hegemony has created a sense of morality in its teachings. Foucault further explored the idea of power relationships and theorized about how these relationships affect our views of reality. His notion of power is described as something less material than that of Gramsci, its not a tangible thing of which one can gain or lose. Power is only a certain type of relation between individuals. His theories of power relationships relate to reality in the concept of truth. Truth is centered on the form of scientific discourse and the institutions which produce it; it is subject to constant economic and political incitement, it is the object under diverse forms.it is produced and transmitted under the control (Foucault 1668) Our truths are made up of what society tells us is absolute. He describes truth as a mode to police the masses. It can therefore be concluded that each society has its own regime of truth that shapes its culture. Foucaults rejection of an absolute truth translates into the idea that history has no meaning. This can be explained by the idea that because our knowledge of history is made up of subjective stories of truths told to us by those in power, our ideas of the events that actually occurred are completely biased and therefore have no real validity.

From a very young age, our truths are provided to us in school by professors, teachers, and other authoritative figures. We, as subordinate students, are programmed to accept the things they tell us as absolute fact. Were taught from a young age about the oppression the Jewish masses faced in the period of the Holocaust, and the role that the Americans played in rescuing them and restoring their freedom. Our learned history of the United States in World War II is nothing short of heroic and virtuous, however, no one ever learns of the brutality and disrespect that we showed the Japanese. The truths were taught are subjective and biased. Conflicts are arising around the world in present day due to conflicting realities all created by their varying truths. The solution to these false truths is once again resistance and the need for individuals to be critical of our own truths. However, no actual guidelines or blueprint can be provided for a solution because that in itself would create a regime of truth. Through the ideas of truth and common sense, these theories presented by both Gramsci and Foucault both point to the need for societies to be self critical of their power, culture and ideologies. In todays world of intercultural communication, individuals need to be aware that these variables have differing truths that create varying realities in which one is not necessarily better than the other.

Works Cited Foucault, Michael. "From Truth and Power." 1667-670. Web. Gramsci, Antonio. "Intellectuals and Hegemony." 263-65. Print. Petrecca, Laura. "Toughest Test Comes after Graduation: Getting a Job." USA Today 21 May 2010, Economy sec. USA Today. 21 May 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-05-19-jobs19_CV_N.htm>.