MICHEL FOUCAULT'S BIO POWER AND HUMAN EXISTENCE: A PHILOSOPHICAL APPRAISAL

Abstract

This research discusses the idea of bio power, a concept developed by French philosopher Michel Foucault, and how it affects human life. Bio power refers to the ways modern governments and institutions control people, not just through laws, but by managing things like health, education, and even how we think about ourselves. The main problem this study looks at is how bio power reduces individual freedom and shapes our identity, often without us realizing it. This work uses Analytic method to explore the ideas of Foucault and other thinkers to understand how bio power operates and what it means for human beings today. The study finds that bio power has both positive and negative effects: it helps organize society but also limits personal autonomy and leads to hidden control. The work also shows that Foucault’s ideas may not fully explain how power works in African or traditional societies. People should become more aware of how power works in everyday life and that societies should encourage critical thinking and resistance to unfair control. This research further submits that, while bio power is a strong tool of modern control, understanding it can help us fight for more freedom and human dignity.