La Fausse Conscience

"La Fausse Conscience," or "False Consciousness," is a concept from Marxist theory that describes a situation where individuals or groups are unaware of their genuine social or economic interests due to misleading beliefs or ideologies. This often happens when people accept the dominant worldview that benefits the ruling class, preventing them from recognizing their exploitation or the need for change. False consciousness can manifest in various forms, such as materialism or adherence to stereotypes, leading individuals to act against their own best interests, thus sustaining existing power structures and inequalities.