Similarities Between Weber And Foucault

This study will discuss the rationalization of the body as it was depicted in the works of Max Weber and Michel Foucault. Both of them have widely discussed the issue from different perspectives. This paper will attempt to bring out the points on which the two thinkers would agree or disagree in their opinions regarding the rationalization of the body. In this paper I will argue that both Weber and Foucault had some common ideas as they tried to deal with rationalization of the body and the individuation of the body, even though both appear to be in quite different points. This study will make a short sketch about how these two thinkers grasp the individuation and rationalization of the body in their works, giving an analysis about where

For Turner rationalization has its roots in the irrational Protestant quest for salvation. Moreover, the rationalization process faces problems when substantive question of values are subordinated to formal questions of logic. With the paradox becoming more apparent with the outcome of the rationalization, a meaningless world which lacks in moral directions and which is dominated by the bureaucratic structure seem to emerge. This disenchantment of the world and the iron cage of modernity bring forth a social evolution that leads Weber to the argument that no one know who will live in this cage in the future. It is not known whether at the end of this development new prophets will arise. Or maybe there will be a great rebirth of old ideas and ideals, or would it lead to specialists without spirit and sensualists without

Weber describes how the Calvinist quest for salvation brought up culture of reason, stability, coherence and discipline, and world mastery. For him man does not by nature wish to earn more and more money, but rather wants to live as hi is accustomed to live and earn as much as is necessary for the purpose. And in the places where modern capitalism has begun to increase the productivity of human labor by increasing its intensity, it has encounters the stubborn resistance of this leading trait of pre-capitalistic labor. This process cuts the cord linking the individual to the religious institutions and contributes to the development of a new kind a possessive individualism, emphasizing a new culture dedicated to the transformation of human environment and the legitimation of money. Management now requires that men and women organize themselves in a strict fashion. Waste of time becomes the deadliest of sins. The human life is short and precious. Losing time through idle talk, sociability, luxury or more sleep that is necessary is worthy of absolute moral condemnation. Time is infinitely valuable when every hour lost to labor is lost for the glory of God. According to Turner reformation becomes a landmark event that acts as the catalyst that transformed the urban Western culture. And a new