The Ideology of the Aesthetic (book)

"The Ideology of the Aesthetic" by Herbert Marcuse explores how society's focus on beauty and art influences our perceptions and values. It suggests that aesthetics are not just about personal taste but serve to mask social and political realities, often promoting illusions of harmony and fulfillment that can divert attention from issues like inequality or oppression. Marcuse critically examines how aesthetic ideals shape cultural norms and whether they reinforce or challenge societal power structures, prompting us to consider how our appreciation of beauty may impact social consciousness and transformation.