Positions, 1964-1975

by Louis Althusser

French

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics, France

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Louis Pierre Althusser (1918–1990) was one of the most influential Marxist philosophers of the 20th Century. As they seemed to offer a renewal of Marxist thought as well as to render Marxism philosophically respectable, the claims he advanced in the 1960s about Marxist philosophy were discussed and debated worldwide. Due to apparent reversals in his theoretical positions, to the ill-fated facts of his life, and to the historical fortunes of Marxism in the late twentieth century, this intense interest in Althusser's reading of Marx did not survive the 1970s. Despite the comparative indifference shown to his work as a whole after these events, the theory of ideology Althusser developed within it has been broadly deployed in the social sciences and humanities and has provided a foundation for much “post-Marxist” philosophy. In addition, aspects of Althusser's project have served as inspiration for Analytic Marxism as well as for Critical Realism. Though this influence is not always explicit, Althusser's work and that of his students continues to inform the research programs of literary studies, political philosophy, history, economics, and sociology. In addition, his autobiography has been subject to much critical attention over the last decade. At present, Althusser's philosophy as a whole is undergoing a critical reevaluation by scholars who have benefited from the anthologization of hard-to-find and previously unpublished texts and who have begun to engage with the great mass of writings that remain in his archives.

Reviews

[Zé · Rating 5 out of 5]

meu amigo: althusser é ruim
eu: quem
meu amigo: althusser
eu: te perguntou

meu amigo: 😭😭😭😡😡
eu: 🤣🤣
o homem como sujeito da historia em marx: 💀

[Georgina Koutrouditsou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Έχετε βρεθεί σίγουρα όλοι στη θέση μου,να είστε τόσο θετικοί απέναντι σε ένα βιβλίο και μετά αυτό να σας απογοητεύει.
Δεν ξέρω τι μου έφταιξε ακριβώς με το παρόν βιβλίο.
Ίσως η οπτική του, η απόλυτητά του,ή ίσως ότι δεν ήταν ο κατάλληλος χρόνος για να το διαβάσω.
Προφανώς τα φιλοσοφικά δοκίμια δεν είναι κάτι το ευχάριστο για ανάγνωση,ειδικά όταν είσαι άρρωστος,παρ'όλα αυτά με κράτησε μέχρι το τέλος,δεν με κούρασε,απλά διαφώνησα με τον τρόπο έκφρασης των απόψεων του.

[Kai Mustakoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to theory, Althusser has the ability to make complex philosophical arguments entertaining on an entertaining level, but definitely does not lack the power to give you many mesmerizing insights.

Especially the essay on Ideological State Apparatuses is one of my favorites of all time, extremely well written and filled with useful concepts to see society and our subjectivity’s nature in a fascinating way.

Definitely 5/5

Would recommend the whole collection of essays to all who are into theory.

Furthermore, I would recommend to almost anyone the essay Ideological State Apparatuses, it is pure gold!

[Minäpäminä · Rating 3 out of 5]

Psykoanalyysin ja dialektiikan teoria menivät ohitse, mutta muutoin yllätyin myönteisesti: ranskalainen filosofi joka osaa olla ymmärrettävä! Varsinkin nimiessee oli pelottavasta otsikostaan huolimatta täysin käsitettävissä, jos vain tuntee marxismin perusteet (perusta-ylärakenne, ideologia, luokkataistelu, jne.). Eri asia sitten oliko itse asia nieltävissä. Joka tapauksessa (2000-luvulta katsottuna) virkistävä (70-luvun eläneille epäilemättä tunkkainen) katsaus toisenlaiseen, antihumanistiseen vasemmistolaisuuteen.

[Mz · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://www.fractalart.gr/althusser-l...

[Афина · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the most interesting chapter of this book is that of the ideological device of the state.
Generally,the rest is characterized of scientism, which is diametrically unlike the marxisτ logic.
However, Althusser's "Positions" is a must-read book, especially for the Marxists.