Criticism On Althusser’s “Theory Of Epistemological Rupture”

As an important topic in the History of Marxism,Althusser’s theory of “epistemological fracture” is the result of reconstructing Marx’s theory in the discourse form of structuralism,which is based on a struggle with various Marxism at that time.This theory has effectively resisted the attack of “Humanitarianism” on scientific Marxism,achieved the fundamental goal of “defend Marx”.Although it has an active effect on resisting the invasion of various ideology,it cannot cover up the inherent defects,and causes a new crisis in understanding Marxism.Therefore,only in the in-depth critical analysis of this topic,the ideological development of the young Marx can be more clearly presented under the support of his text.Driven by the analytical method of structuralism and based on taking the category of problem-model as the norm,Althusser judged Marx’s thought development process as the rupture between the humanitarian problem and the historical materialism problem on the surface,and asserted as a rupture between ideology and science at the deep level.On this foundation,Althusser put forword the theory of “epistemological fracture”.However,this assertion is based on Althusser’s one-sided interpretation of the Marx’s texts in his youth.Driven by the interpretive intention of anti-humanism,Althusser made a dogmatic interpretation on the Marx’s texts in his youth,ignoring the important role of the category of“objective activity” in the young Marx’s thought.Althusser’s interpretation method will inevitably lead to his misreading of Marx’s thought.But the root causes,it is the lack of historical dimension of his structuralist method,as well as its internal non-subjectivity and non-contradiction,which cause an anti-dialectical inclination.There is no “epistemological rupture” in the development of Marx’s thoughts,and his ideological development unfolds in the form of a philosophical revolution.The core of Marxist philosophical revolution is the following two points.The first one is the reorganization of elements under the guidance of the new philosophical paradigm which takes practice as the core.The next one is the active sublation of the old paradigm which takes “objective activity” as the core.Therefore,the so-called “break in epistemology” doesn’t exist,but the sublation and transformation of philosophical paradigm.We admit that there are differences and contradictions in Marx’s thought at different historical stages.However,it is a purely ideological empty talk to judge that there is a “epistemological fracture” in the development of Marx’s thought,because this“fracture” does not have the slightest realisticl basis.The original intention of Althusser’s theory of “epistemological fracture” is to dispel the fog in the understanding paradigm of Marx’s theory,but it undoubtedly provides us with new difficulties in understanding Marx scientifically,which is based on the thinking of “fracture”and the inquiry of “bridging”.To solve this problem,we must start from the philosophical revolution initiated by Marx,in order to deeply understand the ontological dimension and profound connotation of the “new philosophical paradigm” which takes practice as the core.Only from this point of view,can we truly understand Marx’s theory.