Inheriting the Invisible: Habitus
We inherit the world long before we realise it. From the moment we're born, we're not just entering a physical environment—we're stepping into a web of values, habits, and invisible rules that have been shaped by generations before us. Our parents, our ancestors, even the broader culture around us, hand down this world to us, almost without us noticing. By the time we finish childhood, this inherited world is already inside us. It's in the way we speak, the way we think, the way we move through life. We embody it, and in many ways, everything goes unquestioned.
This is where Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus comes into play. When I first encountered this idea, it made so much sense. It helped me see how deeply rooted these inherited structures are. Habitus refers to the set of dispositions and habits we unconsciously develop through our experiences in the world. It’s not just about what we do—it’s about how we see the world and ourselves within it, without even being fully aware of it. It’s like a structuring structure, shaping our behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes in ways that seem natural, but are deeply influenced by the social world we've inherited.
As children, we absorb the world around us. The way our parents move through life, the stories they tell, the expectations they carry—they all become part of us. It happens so subtly, and by the time we've grown, much of what we think and do feels like second nature. We don’t really question it, because it feels like the way things are. But in reality, we're carrying the world that was structured long before us, sometimes in ways that limit our choices or perspectives.
What fascinates me about habitus is how it shows the power of the social world in shaping our sense of self, but also how unconscious this process is. We inherit not only material wealth or traditions, but ways of being that influence every part of our lives. This structuring structure is so ingrained that we often fail to see it. And yet, recognising this inheritance is the first step toward understanding that the world we embody isn’t fixed. It's malleable. Once we start asking questions, we can see where these inherited structures no longer serve us, and begin imagining new ways of living.
(work in progress) seen the creation of the world within the world (and the unavoidable destruction of the giving environment) I am reflecting about the values our current economic system perpetuates. The kind of relationships we cultivate when we trade with others, sense of entitlement and expectations that meta economics. What are the values of the current economic system? Because the economy has permeated almost every aspect of human life,and culture. So what are the values we are perpetuating with our choices? Is that a fair question?
Next reflection will be on Buddhist economy. Happy to hear your thoughts info@angelasierra.com
