Philosophy: Biography of Herbert Marcuse (1898-1979)

In the midst of the shimmering narratives of the ages, emerged a thinker who etched his mark in
the heart of the world's intellect. Herbert Marcuse, the icon of intellectual revolution, began his
life journey in Berlin, Germany, on July 19, 1898. From the embrace of an affluent and scholarly
family, he breathed the air of a rich and educated life. His father, Carl Marcuse, a successful textile
entrepreneur and a staunch politician committed to the principles of the Social Democratic Party,
while his mother, Gertrud Kreslawsky, inherited honor from a distinguished Jewish lineage.

Yet, Marcuse's tale is not merely about material wealth, but also about a deeper quest for meaning
amidst the whirlwind of world events. In 1916, amidst the turmoil of World War I, Marcuse joined
the German Armed Forces, serving in a cavalry depot in Berlin. The bitter experience on the
battlefield shaped his critical worldview, vehemently rejecting the nationalism and violence that
engulfed the earth.

After the storm of war subsided, Marcuse found a safe harbor in science and philosophy. He
embarked on an educational journey at the University of Freiburg and the University of Berlin,
immersing himself in the realms of philosophy, history, and economics under the tutelage of
leading scholars of his time. The pinnacle of his journey came when Marcuse earned his doctoral
degree from the University of Freiburg in 1922, with a provocative dissertation on German
aesthetics.

However, fate had other plans, as Marcuse did not become a recluse scholar behind books alone.
In 1929, the call for change led him back to the lecture halls, not as a student, but as an assistant
to eminent scholars, including Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. However, his involvement
with Heidegger was fraught with disputes, due to widening political differences.
The changing times ushered Marcuse out of the shadows of the looming Nazi regime in Germany.
In 1933, he chose to leave his homeland, seeking refuge in Switzerland before eventually settling
in the United States. In the new land, Marcuse not only found a safe haven but also a new calling
as a daring thinker.

During World War II, Marcuse made valuable contributions to the war effort as part of the Office
of Strategic Services (OSS). Yet, his vision extended beyond the battlefield; he was also
passionate about shaping the minds of future generations. After the war, Marcuse taught at various
universities, channeling the spirit of revolution through his teachings.

His name began to shine in the wave of student movements of the 1960s, where his sharp critique
of capitalist society became glaringly apparent. His phenomenal works, such as "Eros and
Civilization" (1955) and "One-Dimensional Man" (1964), sparked the curiosity of a new
generation about a fairer world.

Through his critical lens, Marcuse viewed modern capitalism as a machine of destruction and
exploitation. For him, capitalism not only reduced humans to mere instruments of production but
also robbed them of their dignity and creativity. The system constantly implanted new needs,
creating an insatiable market.

Though critical, Marcuse did not entirely lose hope. He believed that the flame of revolution still
burned, and change was possible. However, his conviction was that change must start from the
grassroots, from intellectuals, students, and minority groups who had the potential to bring about
profound and comprehensive change.

Though his ideas inspired many, Marcuse's theory was not immune to criticism. Some argued that
his skepticism about society's ability to think critically was too dismissive, while his idealism
about revolution was deemed too naive and unrealistic.

Despite being born in the 1960s era, Marcuse's theory remains relevant today. In a rapidly
changing world, phenomena like widespread consumerism, technological dominance, and the
influence of mass media still remain integral parts of our social reality. Marcuse's theory invites
us to ask critical questions about the structure of the society we live in and to question whether
we truly live in genuine freedom or merely in the illusion created by the hegemony of capitalism.
Marcuse not only presented his sharp critique of capitalist society in his monumental work "One-
Dimensional Man" (1964), but also presented his views through a number of other influential
writings, such as "Reason and Revolution" (1941), "Eros and Civilization" (1955), and "An Essay
on Liberation" (1969). Each of his works is an intellectual gem that continues to spark debates in
the realms of philosophy and sociology.

On July 29, 1979, in Starnberg, Germany, the curtain fell for Herbert Marcuse, yet, his legacy
remains alive in the minds and discussions of thinkers, sociologists, and political activists to this
day. His thoughts on capitalist society and his critique of consumerism serve as a window to see
our world. His works continue to inspire those who dare to challenge the status quo and strive for
a fairer and more humane world.

With his provocative style and inspiring vision, Herbert Marcuse has carved his name as one of
the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Among the ranks of philosophers and social
theorists, Marcuse stands as a challenging voice, inviting us to contemplate the essence of
freedom and justice in a world often shrouded by tyranny and arbitrariness.

In the midst of his world-shaking thoughts, Marcuse closed the book of his life in Starnberg,
Germany, on July 29, 1979. Although his physical presence is gone, his legacy lives on in the
form of thoughts and struggles for justice. His works continue to serve as a guide for those who
dare to dream of a fairer and more humane world.

REFERENCES:
Marcuse, Herbert. (1964). One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the Ideology of Advanced
Industrial Society. Boston: Beacon Press.
Marcuse, Herbert. (1955). Eros and Civilization: A Philosophical Inquiry into Freud. Boston:
Beacon Press.
ANGKAT, A. S. (2022). KRITIK KONSUMERISME MANUSIA SATU DIMENSI
PERSPEKTIF HERBERT MARCUSE (1898-1979) (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam
Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau).
Saumantri, T. (2022). Konsumerisme Masyarakat Kontemporer menurut Herbert Marcuse.
Media: Jurnal Filsafat dan Teologi, 3(2), 162-177.
KWOK, S. (2010). Dialetika progresif dalam teori kritis Herbert Marcuse (Doctoral dissertation,
Universitas Gadjah Mada).
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Herbert Marcuse:
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marcuse/
The Herbert Marcuse Society: https://www.marcuse.org/