Hipertrofia moralności jako instrument biowładzy

Abstrakt

Moral hypertrophy as a technique of biopower
 
The concept of moral hypertrophy was used by Arnold Gehlen to describe the overuse of moral criteria and appraisals in public life, specially a political one, as an instrument of power “tyranny of moral hypertrophy”. But moral hypertrophy could be, and in fact it was and still is a form of another kind of power, which was named by Michel Foucault “biopower.” It concerns human private and intimate behaviour, condemned by some institutions — mainly religious ones — as immoral. These forms of behaviour are numerous and diverse, for example self-abuse, self-destruction, risky style of life or hobby and even suicide. If they are not the reason for anybody’s harm, they could not be recognized as immoral. They are subjects to the right to privacy and hence should be protected against the control of other people or institutions, imposing some moral blame. Moral autonomy of sovereign human being includes the right to choose his/her own form of lifestyle, if it does not cause anybody’s harm. This choice could not be subjugated by any form of power, including biopower.