problematique


problematique

or

problematic

the system of questions and concepts which makes up any particular science (ALTHUSSER and Balibar, 1968). This concept plays a broadly equivalent role within the work of Louis Althusser to the concept of PARADIGM in the work of Thomas KUHN or the concept of EPISTEME in the work of FOUCAULT. As for Kuhn, in Althusser's view new scientific problematiques involve a revolutionary EPISTEMOLOGICAL BREAK with previous ways of thinking. Thus, Althusser argues that Marxism as a scientific problematique was born only after Marx's break with Hegelian ideas in 1845. Thereafter Marx operated within an implicit problematique, which later scientific Marxists developed.