To philosophize with open eyes is to philosophize in the dark. Only the blind can look straight at the sun.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the connection between economic production and the ideological constructs that influence society.
Louis Althusser articulates how the material aspects of production and circulation in an economy are intertwined with the ideological relations that shape human perceptions and interactions. He stresses that while material conditions are essential for reproducing social relations, the ideologies that emerge from those conditions also play a crucial role in the processes of production and circulation. Thus, understanding society requires acknowledging both its physical and ideological dimensions.
Themes
ProductionIdeologySocietyMaterialityRelations
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on Marxist theory, this quote can illustrate the relationship between economy and ideology.
More from Louis Althusser
All quotes →Occasionally, 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
It is characteristic of ideology to impose self-evident facts as self-evident facts.
Louis AlthusserRead
Philosophy is, in the last instance, class struggle in the field of theory.
Louis AlthusserRead
Similar quotes
I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where will you stop? If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?
Abraham LincolnRead
Every man is of importance to himself.
Samuel JohnsonRead
If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.
Anton ChekhovRead
We are much beholden to Machiavel and others, that write what men do, and not what they ought to do.
Francis BaconRead
The story of Mary of Magdalene reminds us all of a fundamental truth...A disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for his help, has been healed by him and has set out following closely after him, becoming a witness of the power of his merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.
Pope Benedict XviRead
A church is a soul-saving company or it is nothing.
Charles SpurgeonRead