“Every established order tends to produce the naturalization of its own arbitrariness.”
Pierre Bourdieu on Established Orders
"Every established order tends to produce the naturalization of its own arbitrariness." - Pierre Bourdieu
This quote by Pierre Bourdieu highlights the tendency of established systems or structures to normalize their own arbitrary rules or actions. It serves as a reminder to question and challenge the status quo rather than accepting it unquestioningly.
Analysis of Quote by Pierre Bourdieu
In this quote by Pierre Bourdieu, he highlights the tendency of established systems or orders to solidify and normalize their own inherent biases and injustices. Bourdieu's assertion is a warning against complacency and blind acceptance of the status quo. This quote prompts us to critically examine and challenge the entrenched power structures that perpetuate inequality and oppression. Bourdieu's emphasis on the naturalization of arbitrariness serves as a call to action for individuals to resist and disrupt the unjust norms that contribute to the perpetuation of systemic injustices.
Pierre Bourdieu on the Naturalization of Arbitrariness
Pierre Bourdieu's quote highlights the tendency for established systems of power to perpetuate their own arbitrary rules and norms, eventually leading individuals to accept them as natural and inevitable. This concept remains relevant today in examining how societal structures, hierarchies, and inequalities can become ingrained and unquestioned, shaping our understanding of what is considered normal or just. It serves as a reminder to critically examine the underlying assumptions of the systems we operate within and challenge any unjust or oppressive aspects that may have become normalized.
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on the quote by Pierre Bourdieu, consider the following questions:
- In what ways do you see established orders in your own life or society? How do these orders influence norms and expectations?
- How can understanding the concept of arbitrariness help us challenge and change these established orders?
- What are some examples of arbitrariness that have become normalized in your own life or society?
- How can individuals or communities work together to resist and challenge the naturalization of arbitrariness in established orders?
Similar quotes
“All Being within this order, by the laws of its own nature is impelled to find its proper station round its Primal Cause.Thus every nature moves across the tide of the great sea of being to its own port, each with its given instinct as its guide.”
“Nature places a simple constraint on those who leave the flock to go their own way: they get eaten. In society it's a bit more complicated. Nonetheless the admonition stands: avoiding the unknown has considerable survival value. Society, nature, and artmaking tend to produce guarded creatures.”
“We dispute the arbitrary distribution of power and wealth, which is claimed as the natural order, but which is in fact not natural at all but rather artificially created and sustained by ancient privileges.”
“Every way of life produces its own environment and in turn is influenced by that environment.”
“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.”