Foucault on "The Means of Correct Training"

Foucault now turns his attention to "The Means of Correct Training". This is the disciplinary process which creates "individuals". Foucault stresses to show how strange and twisted this process actually is. Disciplinary power depends on the successful functioning of three components: Heirarchal observation, normalizing judgement, and examination. He explains that observation is key in instilling discipline and it is present in all major societal institutions. Its function is to force people to exhibit desired behaviors by means of strict surveillance. Normalizing judmement takes what is seen as "abnormal" and trajects it into what is considered "normal". And finally, examination is the process that combines the two previous elements and utilizes them. Here the "individual" is observed, written on, and analyzed.

These elements of discipline are crucial pieces in Foucaults attempt to discredit the disciplinary process. To most people, to be an "individual", one is unique equipped with creativity and spontaneity. The disciplinary system takes away from human capacity and potential, making any normal individual, "abnormal". This process aims to disconnect the individual from the masses and isolating them to assimilate to "normal" behavior. This clearly takes a rather simple concept of individuality, twists it and uses it to create the exact opposite.