Why Does Ideology Still Matter in Social Studies?

This study tries to ask some questions and to underline some points with respect to the study of ideology. lts main objective is firstly to show that the concept of ideology is still a plausible concept, and that an approach to ideology, irrespective of the discipline in which it is developed, entails an understanding that the meaning of the concept of ideology is embedded in language games in which it is utilized, and is partially fixed through an hegemonic operation. Secondly, it is to show that an understanding of ideology in itself needs to reconsider certain philosophical categories such as truth, subject, consciousness, and the misrecognition/distortion of reality, which have traditionally been central to the theories of the formation and nature of ideology itself and have created a conceptual  puzzlement. It argues that despite all the difficulties and ideological problems that the concept of ideology causes, it is not justifiable to discard the notion altogether. lt suggests  that transcending the conceptual blindspot in the theories of ideology doesn't necessarily mean a total abandonment of those traditional philosophical categories either. The third point this paper emphasises is the political character of ideology. Put it differently, its aim is to underline that an approach to ideology entails an understanding of the formation and nature of the political and vice versa.

Why Does Ideology Still Matter in Social Studies?

This study tries to ask some questions and to underline some points with respect to the study of ideology. lts main objective is firstly to show that the concept of ideology is still a plausible concept, and that an approach to ideology, irrespective of the discipline in which it is developed, entails an understanding that the meaning of the concept of ideology is embedded in language games in which it is utilized, and is partially fixed through an hegemonic operation. Secondly, it is to show that an understanding of ideology in itself needs to reconsider certain philosophical categories such as truth, subject, consciousness, and the misrecognition/distortion of reality, which have traditionally been central to the theories of the formation and nature of ideology itself and have created a conceptual puzzlement. It argues that despite all the difficulties and ideological problems that the concept of ideology causes, it is not justifiable to discard the notion altogether. lt suggests that transcending the conceptual blindspot in the theories of ideology doesn't necessarily mean a total abandonment of those traditional philosophical categories either. The third point this paper emphasises is the political character of ideology. Put it differently, its aim is to underline that an approach to ideology entails an understanding of the formation and nature of the political and vice versa.

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