Herbert Marcuse's One-Dimensional Man

Herbert Marcuse's "One-Dimensional Man" critiques advanced industrial society, arguing that it suppresses individual critical thought and creativity through technological rationality and consumer culture. He contends that capitalism creates a conformist, "one-dimensional" mindset where people accept prevailing norms and media ideologies without questioning them. In this context, Marcuse draws on Marxism and Critical Theory to explore how social systems limit genuine freedom and revolutionary potential. He advocates for the liberation of human consciousness, encouraging critical reflection and alternative ways of living that challenge the status quo and promote true human flourishing.