From reading The German Ideology to reading Ideology and Ideological State Apparatus, it is obvious that there are two very different opinions on ideology between Marx and Althusser. On page 99 Althusser discusses how Marx believes that ideology has no history and is merely a dream, while Althusser believes that ideology/ideologies have a history of their own, but that ideology in general has no history. I would have to agree with Althusser about ideologies. I don't think that certain ideologies would around today if they didn't have their own history to it. I think that ideologies have evolved from their own history and what they used to be. Do you agree with Marx or Althusser on their views of ideology?
There's one statement that Althusser makes on page 103/104 that I'm having a hard time grasping. He says that "there is no ideology except for concrete subjects, and this destination for ideology is only made possible by the subject: meaning, by the category of the subject and its functioning". I guess I just need some clarification; does he mean that without people to believe in these ideologies they wouldn't exist?
To answer your second question I believe Althusser is claiming that without the concrete evidence, ideologies couldnt be proven and examined. They could still technically exist but we wouldnt be able to detect them. I think your right about needing people as well.
ReplyDeleteHey Audrey. It was very interesting hearing in class today that " the Subject" in Althusser could be interpreted as a God-like figure. Even though I completely agree with your assessment that without people these ideologies wouldn't exist, I would like to know if your understanding of the Subject as an Omni-present being changes the way you would interpret what he is trying to say.
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