Critique of ideology

"[3] In the work of Marx and Engels, ideology was the false belief that capitalist society was a product of human nature, when in reality it had been imposed, often violently, in particular circumstances, in particular places, at particular historical periods.

Rather than a synonym for criticism, "critique" comes from Immanuel Kant's usage of the term, which meant an investigation into the structures under which we live, think, and act.

A critic of ideology, in this sense, is not merely one who expresses disagreement or disapproval, but who is able to bring to light the belief's true conditions of possible existence.

Frankfurt School philosopher Max Horkheimer termed a theory critical if it aims "to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them.

The classical and orthodox Marxist definition of ideology is false belief, emergent from the oppressive society which educates its citizens to be obedient workers.

Its millions of participants, they argue, demand reproduction processes which inevitably lead to the use of standard products to meet the same needs at countless locations.