Althusser's critique of humanism

Louis Althusser's critique of humanism challenges the idea that individuals are autonomous, rational beings who shape history through free will. He argues that humanism wrongly emphasizes personal agency and consciousness, ignoring the deeper social and ideological structures—like education, media, and politics—that shape our thoughts and actions. According to Althusser, these structures operate subconsciously, determining who we are and what we believe, rather than our individual choices. Therefore, he sees humanism as idealistic, and emphasizes examining the material, structural forces that influence human behavior instead of attributing it solely to human consciousness.