To philosophize with open eyes is to philosophize in the dark. Only the blind can look straight at the sun.
Louis AlthusserRead
It is characteristic of ideology to impose self-evident facts as self-evident facts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Ideologies often present certain beliefs as obviously true, without questioning their validity.
In this quote, Louis Althusser highlights how ideologies can masquerade subjective beliefs as objective truths. This characteristic of ideology can make people accept certain notions without critical thinking, leading to the reinforcement of established beliefs without scrutiny or challenge.
Themes
IdeologyTruthBeliefsCritical ThinkingSubjectivity
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about societal values, I used this quote to emphasize the need for critical analysis of widely accepted norms.
More from Louis Althusser
All quotes βOccasionally, the whole class struggle may be summed up in the struggle for one word against another word. Certain words struggle amongst themselves as enemies. Other words are the site of an ambiguity: the stake in a decisive but undecided battle
Louis AlthusserRead
Relations of production are first reproduced by the materiality of the processes of production and circulation. But it should not be forgotten that ideological relations are immediately present in these same processes.
Louis AlthusserRead
Philosophy is, in the last instance, class struggle in the field of theory.
Louis AlthusserRead
Similar quotes
Not everybody is comfortable with the idea that politics is a guilty addiction. But it is.
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
In the end, one or the other will triumph - a funeral dirge will be sung over the Soviet republic or over world capitalism.
Vladimir LeninRead
Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.
Ulysses S. GrantRead
England has always been disinclined to accept human nature.
E. M. ForsterRead
If there were no way into God, I would not have lain in the grave of this body so long.
RumiRead
June suns, you cannot store them To warm the winter's cold, The lad that hopes for heaven Shall fill his mouth with mould.
A. E. HousmanRead