Althusser’s Critical Project
Louis Althusser (1918–1990) was a French Marxist philosopher whose work shaped twentieth-century theory. He was particularly concerned with distinguishing scientific knowledge from ideology, and with recovering a rigorous reading of Marx against humanistic and Hegelian interpretations. His theoretical interventions—especially regarding ideology, the state apparatus, and overdetermination—influenced structuralism, poststructuralism, and cultural studies.
Context and Themes
This Dutch-language title, translating to “Science and Ideology Critique,” aligns with Althusser’s central preoccupations. His works explore the boundary between scientific practice and ideological distortion, with particular attention to how ideology functions in social reproduction. Common themes in his oeuvre include the critique of empiricism, the structural nature of ideology, and the distinction between science and philosophy. The title reflects authentic concerns of his theoretical project.
