Medical Practice and Biopolitics: The Reconstruction of Social Norms in Modern Society

Foucault's theory of knowledge-power reveals that hospitals serve as intersections where power is exercised and knowledge is produced. Through his early analysis of clinical medicine and his later introduction of the concept of "biopolitics," Foucault demonstrates how medicine, through practices such as regulating the body and institutionalizing health checks, links individual self-management with social norms. These practices become essential mechanisms for governing individual health and shaping social norms. With the widespread implementation of public health policies and the dissemination of medical knowledge, individuals have not only improved their capacity for self-management but have also taken on greater social responsibilities, thereby contributing to enhanced public health outcomes. This transformation highlights the complexity of power dynamics in modern society and offers fresh insights into the relationship between contemporary medicine and society.