Investigation of the Effects of Soma Drug on Social Life and Authority in the Novel Brave

New World

Since the emergence of civilizations, there has been an ongoing struggle for authority
between rulers and the people, with rulers supporting wars for their own interests. In this
context, rulers have sought to ensure people's happiness under authority by making them
obedient and compliant. The idea that there is a need for authority in any community where
people live together has been put forward throughout history, and some rulers have taken
action to exploit this need. "There is a necessity for an authority, a power that is a social
event, in order to direct and govern people living in society and to ensure the continuity of
societal existence." (Kaplan, 1994: 267) Aldous Huxley's Brave New World depicts a society
where the government exercises absolute control over citizens, based entirely on
unquestioning obedience. Brave New World presents a utopian society where social life is
flawless. The most important tangible tool the World State uses to maintain this control is the
soma drug. This article will examine the effects of the soma drug on social life and authority
in the novel, based on its role in suppressing individuality, promoting harmonious living,
discouraging questioning, and reinforcing the power structure.

The soma drug depicted in Brave New World is produced and distributed by the state
to suppress negative emotions and maintain social stability. "But now the madness is over.
Care is taken that you should never be without dislikes and prejudices. You're so conditioned
that you can't help doing what you ought to do. And what you ought to do is on the whole so
pleasant." (Huxley, 2002: 226) As seen in this quote, the soma drug numbs people, satisfies
them hormonally and emotionally, and prevents questioning, thus unquestionably enforcing
authority. It also promotes social stability and harmony. "Soma will calm your anger,
reconcile you to your enemies, make you patient and strong." (Huxley, 2002: 226) This quote
further supports this explanation.

The widespread use of the soma drug depicted in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World results
in the loss of individuality among people in society while enabling them to be constantly
happy. As a result, the soma drug depicted in Brave New World establishes some social
norms. These norms, in turn, diminish the essence of individuals within society, limiting their
ability to judge and evaluate themselves as subjects and objects, thus eradicating any dissent,
criticism, or discord. "In the Hatchery and Conditioning Centre in London, people are born
conditioned to accept their roles in society. Not only do they carry the genetic characteristics
of their caste, but they also willingly and eagerly embrace the social norms and duties of that
caste from birth to death." (Küçük, 2019: 147) This quote supports this explanation. As a
result of all this conditioning, in the societal order that emerges, conditioned individuals live
far from their own selves, questioning, criticism, dissent, instability, and disorder.

In conclusion, the society depicted in Brave New World is devoid of all malevolent
emotions and actions, and social stability is ensured in every aspect thanks to the soma drug.
"The most important thing in Brave New World is stability. In order to achieve stability,
people must not think, be interested in art, literature, history, or music, and must not read
such works...( ) Therefore, people are conditioned by hypnosis and sent to imaginary happy
worlds with a drug called soma. Consequently, everyone enjoys their work, loves their life,
and does not question." (Küçük, 2019: 151) In this context, the authority of power is
maintained to prevent it from being disrupted again, and the conditioned acceptance of
authority by individuals, along with ensuring this order in social life, ensures smooth
authority and a trouble-free societal order.

References
Küçük, H. (2019). Book Review Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) Brave New World.
Turkish Journal of Political Science, page(02).

Kaplan, İ. (1994). Democracy-law-authority. Ankara University Journal of Political Science,

49(01).

Huxley, A. (2002). Brave New World (Vol. 3). İthaki Publications.