The Practice of Philosophy, Politics and ‘Critique’ of Ideology for Louis Althusser

Althusser introduces the question of ideology into a new level of discussion. Borrowing ideas from Freudian psychoanalysis, he redefines the concepts of human sciences asserting that ideology is not only a ‘false consciousness’ or ‘consciousness of the inverted world,’ but also a kind of ‘ignorance’ or ‘unconsciousness,’ which stands at odds with Humanism and Economism. Althusser regards this as the reappearance of Marx's fundamental thesis which he believes must be accomplished. Althusser immediately encountered a variety of criticisms that reveal various aspects of his theory. He insisted in following the logic of his argument departing from the problem of ‘reproduction,’ and ending with ‘subjection’. The paper tries to demonstrate that Althusser cannot rely on his ideology argument without distinguishing ‘science’ from ‘politics.’ Since ‘politics’ and ‘philosophy’ are the key elements in any discussion concerning ideology, it should be noticed that, for Althusser, philosophy is nothing but the ruminated (ruminé) politics. That is why philosophy cannot be conceptualized. Philosophy has no Essence, but can only be applied. The article argues that philosophical practice should be defined as a theoretical political action or the ‘critique’ of ideology. I will conclude that although Althusser emphasizes the rational relation between philosophy, politics, and ideology, his account of the ‘critique’ cannot go beyond the political realm.