One-Dimensional Man' by Herbert Marcuse (1964)

One-Dimensional Man is a critique of modern industrial society and its effects on the individual.

Marcuse argues that modern society has become increasingly one-dimensional, with the forces of society and technology restricting individuals from realizing their potential and developing as fully rounded human beings.

The book examines how modern society has led to the standardization and homogenization of individuals, and how this has led to the suppression of creativity, imagination and the liberation of the individual.

Marcuse argues that advanced industrial societies create false needs, which are used to manipulate and control individuals.

He argues that the media, education and the political system all work to create a false consciousness, or way of perceiving the world, which serves to maintain the status quo and prevent radical social change.

Marcuse also critiques the concept of ‘instrumental rationality’, which is a way of thinking which reduces complex problems to simple, quantifiable solutions.

He argues that this way of thinking is inadequate for addressing complex social and political issues, and is instead a tool of domination used to maintain the status quo.

Thank you for reading. Create summary videos with Kimavi.