The Meaning and Genesis of the Concept of Reading in Louis Althusser: A Corpus-Based Approach

Abstract

This study explores the genesis and conceptualization of “reading” in Louis Althusser’s philosophy through a corpus-based analysis of his works and the writings of key intellectual predecessors. Althusser redefined reading as a critical, transformative act, emphasizing epistemological and ideological ruptures within texts, but in the same time engaging with conspiratorial, distrusting and unverifiable interpretations of texts. His approach relies more heavily on Lacan’s psychoanalytic methods, Bachelard’s dual reading framework, Foucault’s discourse analysis, and Cavaillès’ emphasis on scientific autonomy, in contrast to Canguilhem and Gueroult, whom he also references as “masters of reading” but engages with less directly. Althusser’s reading aimed to uncover hidden theoretical structures within Marx’s texts, imposing on them contemporary epistemological concerns. By leveraging computational corpus analysis, the research reveals how Althusser’s critical reading trying to balance between fidelity to the text and philosophical creativity, but fails to acknowledge autonomy of text’s lexis and semantics from reader’s concerns.