Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

from ''pan''-‘all’ + [[Greek]] ''optikon'', neuter of ''optikos'' ‘[[optic]].’

from ''pan''-‘all’ + [[Greek]] ''optikon'', neuter of ''optikos'' ‘[[optic]].’

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century mid 18th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century mid 18th Century]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1:a circular [[prison]] with [[cells]] arranged around a central [[well]], from which [[prisoners]] could at all times be [[observed]].

*1:a circular [[prison]] with [[cells]] arranged around a central [[well]], from which [[prisoners]] could at all times be [[observed]].

==Description==

==Description==

The '''Panopticon''' is a type of [[institutional]] building designed by the English philosopher and social [[theorist]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Bentham Jeremy Bentham] in the late 18th century. The concept of the [[design]] is to allow a single watchman to [[observe]] (-''opticon'') all (''pan''-) inmates of an institution without them being able to tell whether they are being watched or not. Although it is physically impossible for the single watchman to observe all cells at once, the [[fact]] that the inmates cannot know when they are being watched means that all inmates must act as though they are watched at all times, effectively [[controlling]] their own [[behavior]] constantly. The name is also a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoptes Panoptes] from Greek [[mythology]]; he was a giant with a hundred eyes and thus was known to be a very effective watchman.

The '''Panopticon''' is a type of [[institutional]] building designed by the English philosopher and social [[theorist]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Bentham Jeremy Bentham] in the late 18th century. The concept of the [[design]] is to allow a single watchman to [[observe]] (-''opticon'') all (''pan''-) inmates of an institution without them being able to tell whether they are being watched or not. Although it is physically impossible for the single watchman to observe all cells at once, the [[fact]] that the inmates cannot know when they are being watched means that all inmates must act as though they are watched at all times, effectively [[controlling]] their own [[behavior]] constantly. The name is also a reference to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoptes Panoptes] from Greek [[mythology]]; he was a giant with a hundred eyes and thus was known to be a very effective watchman.

The design consists of a [[circular]] [[structure]] with an “[[inspection]] house” at its centre, from which the manager or staff of the [[institution]] are able to watch the inmates, who are stationed around the [[perimeter]]. Bentham conceived the basic plan as being equally applicable to [[hospitals]], [[schools]], sanatoriums, daycares, and asylums, but he devoted most of his [[efforts]] to developing a design for a Panopticon [[prison]], and it is his prison which is most widely understood by the term.

The design consists of a [[circular]] [[structure]] with an “[[inspection]] house” at its centre, from which the manager or staff of the [[institution]] are able to watch the inmates, who are stationed around the [[perimeter]]. Bentham conceived the basic plan as being equally applicable to [[hospitals]], [[schools]], sanatoriums, daycares, and asylums, but he devoted most of his [[efforts]] to developing a design for a Panopticon [[prison]], and it is his prison which is most widely understood by the term.

Bentham himself described the ''Panopticon'' as “a new mode of obtaining [[power]] of [[mind]] over mind, in a [[quantity]] hitherto without example.” Elsewhere, he described the ''Panopticon'' prison as “a mill for grinding rogues [[honest]]”.

Bentham himself described the ''Panopticon'' as “a new mode of obtaining [[power]] of [[mind]] over mind, in a [[quantity]] hitherto without example.” Elsewhere, he described the ''Panopticon'' prison as “a mill for grinding rogues [[honest]]”.

Despite the fact that no ''Panopticon'' was built during Bentham's lifetime (and virtually none since), his [[concept]] has prompted considerable discussion and [[debate]]. Whereas Bentham himself regarded the Panopticon as a [[rational]] and [[enlightened]], and therefore just, solution to societal [[problems]], his ideas have been repeatedly criticised by others for their reductive, [[mechanistic]] and inhumane approach to human lives. Thus, in 1841, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pugin Augustus Pugin] published the second edition of his work, ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pugin#Contrasts Contrasts]'', in which one plate showed a "Modern Poorhouse" (clearly modelled on a ''Panopticon''), a bleak and comfortless structure in which the pauper is separated from his [[family]], subjected to a harsh [[discipline]], fed on a minimal diet, and consigned after [[death]] to medical [[dissection]], contrasted with an "Antient Poor House", an architecturally [[inspiring]] [[religious]] institution in which the pauper is treated throughout with humanity and [[dignity]]. In 1965, American historian [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Himmelfarb Gertrude Himmelfarb] published an essay, "The Haunted House of Jeremy Bentham", in which she depicted Bentham's mechanism of [[surveillance]] as a tool of [[oppression]] and social [[control]]. Parallel [[arguments]] were put forward by French psychoanalyst [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Alain_Miller Jacques-Alain Miller] in an essay entitled "Le despotisme de l'utile: la machine panoptique de Jeremy Bentham", written in 1973 and published in 1975.[40]

Despite the fact that no ''Panopticon'' was built during Bentham's lifetime (and virtually none since), his [[concept]] has prompted considerable discussion and [[debate]]. Whereas Bentham himself regarded the Panopticon as a [[rational]] and [[enlightened]], and therefore just, solution to societal [[problems]], his ideas have been repeatedly criticised by others for their reductive, [[mechanistic]] and inhumane approach to human lives. Thus, in 1841, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pugin Augustus Pugin] published the second edition of his work, ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pugin#Contrasts Contrasts]'', in which one plate showed a "Modern Poorhouse" (clearly modelled on a ''Panopticon''), a bleak and comfortless structure in which the pauper is separated from his [[family]], subjected to a harsh [[discipline]], fed on a minimal diet, and consigned after [[death]] to medical [[dissection]], contrasted with an "Antient Poor House", an architecturally [[inspiring]] [[religious]] institution in which the pauper is treated throughout with humanity and [[dignity]]. In 1965, American historian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Himmelfarb Gertrude Himmelfarb] published an essay, "The Haunted House of Jeremy Bentham", in which she depicted Bentham's mechanism of [[surveillance]] as a tool of [[oppression]] and social [[control]]. Parallel [[arguments]] were put forward by French psychoanalyst [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Alain_Miller Jacques-Alain Miller] in an essay entitled "Le despotisme de l'utile: la machine panoptique de Jeremy Bentham", written in 1973 and published in 1975.[40]

Michel Foucault

Michel Foucault

Most influentially, the idea of the ''panopticon'' was invoked by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Foucault Michel Foucault], in his ''Discipline and Punish'' (1975), as a [[metaphor]] for modern "disciplinary" societies and their pervasive inclination to observe and normalise. "On the whole, therefore, one can speak of the formation of a disciplinary [[society]] in this movement that stretches from the enclosed disciplines, a sort of social '[[quarantine]]', to an indefinitely generalizable mechanism of 'panopticism'". The Panopticon is an ideal [[architectural]] figure of modern disciplinary [[power]]. The Panopticon creates a [[consciousness]] of permanent visibility as a form of [[power]], where no bars, chains, and heavy locks are [[necessary]] for [[domination]] any more. Foucault proposes that not only [[prisons]] but all [[hierarchical]] structures like the army, schools, hospitals and factories have evolved through history to resemble Bentham's Panopticon. The notoriety of the [[design]] today (although not its lasting influence in architectural realities) stems from Foucault's famous [[analysis]] of it.

Most influentially, the idea of the ''panopticon'' was invoked by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Foucault Michel Foucault], in his ''Discipline and Punish'' (1975), as a [[metaphor]] for modern "disciplinary" societies and their pervasive inclination to observe and normalise. "On the whole, therefore, one can speak of the formation of a disciplinary [[society]] in this movement that stretches from the enclosed disciplines, a sort of social '[[quarantine]]', to an indefinitely generalizable mechanism of 'panopticism'". The Panopticon is an ideal [[architectural]] figure of modern disciplinary [[power]]. The Panopticon creates a [[consciousness]] of permanent visibility as a form of [[power]], where no bars, chains, and heavy locks are [[necessary]] for [[domination]] any more. Foucault proposes that not only [[prisons]] but all [[hierarchical]] structures like the army, schools, hospitals and factories have evolved through history to resemble Bentham's Panopticon. The notoriety of the [[design]] today (although not its lasting influence in architectural realities) stems from Foucault's famous [[analysis]] of it.

Building on Foucault, contemporary social [[critics]] often assert that [[technology]] has allowed for the deployment of panoptic structures invisibly throughout [[society]]. [[Surveillance]] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-circuit_television CCTV] cameras in public spaces is an example of a technology that brings the gaze of a superior into the daily lives of the populace. Furthermore, a number of [[cities]] in the United Kingdom, including Middlesbrough, Bristol, Brighton and London have added loudspeakers to a number of their existing CCTV cameras. They can [[transmit]] the [[voice]] of a camera supervisor to issue audible messages to the [[public]]. Similarly, critical analyses of [[internet]] practice have suggested that the internet allows for a panoptic form of [[observation]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Service_Providers ISP]s are able to track users' activities, while user-generated [[content]] means that daily social [[activity]] may be recorded and broadcast online.

Building on Foucault, contemporary social [[critics]] often assert that [[technology]] has allowed for the deployment of panoptic structures invisibly throughout [[society]]. [[Surveillance]] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-circuit_television CCTV] cameras in public spaces is an example of a technology that brings the gaze of a superior into the daily lives of the populace. Furthermore, a number of [[cities]] in the United Kingdom, including Middlesbrough, Bristol, Brighton and London have added loudspeakers to a number of their existing CCTV cameras. They can [[transmit]] the [[voice]] of a camera supervisor to issue audible messages to the [[public]]. Similarly, critical analyses of [[internet]] practice have suggested that the internet allows for a panoptic form of [[observation]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Service_Providers ISP]s are able to track users' activities, while user-generated [[content]] means that daily social [[activity]] may be recorded and broadcast online.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshana_Zuboff Shoshana Zuboff] used the [[metaphor]] of the ''panopticon'' in her 1988 book In the ''Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power'' to describe how computer [[technology]] makes work more visible. In 1991 Mohammad Kowsar used the [[metaphor]] in the title of his book “The Critical Panopticon: Essays in the Theatre and Contemporary Aesthetics” (American University Studies Series Xxvi Theatre Arts). Derrick Jensen and Gerge Draffan's 2004 book ''Welcome to the Machine: Science, Surveillance, and the Culture of Control'' demonstrates how our [[society]], by [[techniques]] like the use of biometric passports to identity chips in consumer goods, from nanoparticle weapons to body-enhancing and mind-altering [[drugs]] for [[soldiers]], is being pushed towards a ''panopticon''-like state.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticon]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshana_Zuboff Shoshana Zuboff] used the [[metaphor]] of the ''panopticon'' in her 1988 book In the ''Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power'' to describe how computer [[technology]] makes work more visible. In 1991 Mohammad Kowsar used the [[metaphor]] in the title of his book “The Critical Panopticon: Essays in the Theatre and Contemporary Aesthetics” (American University Studies Series Xxvi Theatre Arts). Derrick Jensen and Gerge Draffan's 2004 book ''Welcome to the Machine: Science, Surveillance, and the Culture of Control'' demonstrates how our [[society]], by [[techniques]] like the use of biometric passports to identity chips in consumer goods, from nanoparticle weapons to body-enhancing and mind-altering [[drugs]] for [[soldiers]], is being pushed towards a ''panopticon''-like state.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticon]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]